USM PENANG, 3 November 2025 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is proud to celebrate the outstanding achievement of Nur Syazadiyanah Suraini, a PhD candidate under the supervision of Dr. Nor Fadzila Aziz at the School of Housing, Building and Planning (HBP).

Early October, she has been announced as the recipient of the Don Norman Design Award 2025 in the Promising Early Career Projects category for her pioneering initiative “Ruang2Gather,” which captivated the international jury with its vision of transforming Malaysian schools and community learning spaces through inclusive, participatory co-design approaches.

The award, recognised globally for honouring projects that advance humanity-centred design, reflects the innovative and impactful nature of Nur Syazadiyanah’s work.

“Ruang2Gather” was born out of Nur Syazadiyanah’s doctoral research at USM, which focuses on the intentional redesign in Malaysian public schools.

By actively engaging key stakeholders including students, teachers, parents, and community members, her research demonstrates how participatory co-design can create more vibrant, adaptable, and meaningful spaces that nurture collaboration, creativity, and a sense of ownership.

The Don Norman Design Award jury praised “Ruang2Gather” for its commitment to community empowerment and its forward-looking vision to redefine educational environments.

According to the panel, the initiative embodies the very spirit of humanity-centred design by addressing real societal needs and empowering communities to take part in shaping their learning environments.

Nur Syazadiyanah expressed her gratitude for the recognition, noting that the award reinforces the importance of designing with people, not just for them.

“This award is not only a personal achievement, but also a recognition of the voices of Malaysian educators, students, and communities who have long been advocating for more inclusive and collaborative learning spaces despite, or because of, limited resources.

“I am humbled and motivated to continue this journey of co-creating environments that reflect our shared values and aspirations. After all this project is also inspired by teachers, for teachers,” she said.

Syazadiyanah had founded Malaysian Learning Spaces (MYLES), where she works closely with Shawn Stanly Anthony Dass and Amirah Laila Mohd Razip in mobilising Ruang2Gather.

The Dean of HBP, Assoc. Prof. Sr. Ts Dr. Md Azree Othuman Mydin, commended Nur Syazadiyanah on her work receiving international recognition, describing it as a milestone for both HBP and USM.

“This award is a testimony to the calibre of our researchers and the impact of their work on global discourses in design and innovation.

“Nur Syazadiyanah’s project, ‘Ruang2Gather’, represents the very essence of USM’s vision to transform lives and communities through knowledge, creativity, and engagement.

“It is also a proud moment for HBP, as it showcases how our students and supervisors are at the forefront of shaping a more sustainable, inclusive future for education and society,” he said.

The Don Norman Design Award is named after Don Norman, one of the most influential figures in design thinking and the pioneer of user-centred design.

Each year, the award recognizes exemplary projects and leaders who demonstrate how design can advance human dignity, well-being, and empowerment.

According to her PhD supervisor, Dr. Nor Fadzila Aziz, “Nur Syazadiyanah’s achievement reflects her perseverance, creativity, and deep commitment to meaningful research that benefits society.”

“The success of ‘Ruang2Gather’ demonstrates how design can be a powerful tool for engagement and transformation when grounded in collaboration with communities.

“I am proud to see her work gaining international recognition, and I believe this award will further inspire her to continue making a difference through design,” she added.

By winning the 2025 Promising Early Career Projects Award, Nur Syazadiyanah not only brings prestige to USM but also shines a global spotlight on Malaysia’s potential to lead community-driven design solutions, suited to local contexts.

As she continues her doctoral journey, her success serves as an inspiration to emerging scholars, designers, and change-makers across the world.

This important work does not come without its challenges. Hence, Nur Syazadiyanah invites collaboration from like-minded educators, designers, and community members alike in a collective effort to further advance learning environment research and practice in Malaysia.

Text: School of Housing, Building and Planning, USM/ Photos: Nur Syazadiyanah Suraini, Placemaker Week ASEAN 2025, NoTosh, ICYARCH 2024, & Sophie Chin Lee