USM PENANG, 19 May 2026 – The School of Housing, Building and Planning (HBP), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), proudly congratulates its Building Surveying (BS) and Quantity Surveying (QS) students for their outstanding achievement at the 18^th International Surveying Conference for Undergraduates (ISCU 2026), held on 8 and 9 May 2026 at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Johor.

HBP-USM students secured an impressive haul of 13 distinguished awards at ISCU 2026; five gold, five silver, and two bronze along with the highly esteemed Best Young Researcher Award.

The details of the award recipients are as follows:

Best Young Researcher Award

• Chong Yew Fong (Supervisor - Dr. Izyan Yahaya)

Gold Award Research Paper & Poster

• Wong Min Wei (Supervisor - Assoc. Prof. Sr Ts. Dr. Md Azree Othuman Mydin)
• Koh Chin Wei (Supervisor - Prof. Sr Dr. Mastura Jaafar)
• Chin Ka Qian (Supervisor - Assoc. Prof. Sr Dr. Mohd Zailan Sulieman)
• Chong Yew Fong (Supervisor - Dr. Izyan Yahaya)
• Chung Zi Huey (Supervisor - Dr. Norsafiah Norazman)

Silver Award Research Paper & Poster

• Aina Mardiah Roslan (Supervisor - Prof. Sr Dr. Mastura Jaafar)
• Fan Suet Li (Supervisor - Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nazirah Zainul Abidin)
• Angela Wong Qin Yi (Supervisor - Sr Dr. Nur Syaimasyaza Mansor)
• Chia Wan Sien (Supervisor - Sr Dr. Nur Syaimasyaza Mansor)
• Ong Jung Yu (Supervisor - Sr Nurzaihan Aras Agus Salim)

Bronze Award Research Paper & Poster

• Nur Adila Johari (Supervisor - Assoc. Prof. Sr Dr. Ruhizal Roosli)
• Mohamad Afif Farhan Shaari (Supervisor - Dr. Siti Hamidah Husain)

This remarkable achievement reflects the students’ dedication, research excellence, confidence, and ability to compete at an international undergraduate platform.

Beyond the awards, this success significantly enhances the visibility and reputation of HBP-USM at national and international levels.

The achievement highlights HBP-USM’s continuous commitment to nurturing future professionals who are knowledgeable, research-driven, innovative, and capable of contributing meaningfully to the built environment industry.

It also reinforces the school’s role as a leading institution in producing competent graduates in the fields of Building Surveying, Quantity Surveying, and the wider built environment.

Special thanks to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Development Affairs & Alumni), USM, Professor Dr Wan Ahmad Jaafar Wan Yahaya for providing financial support, which played a significant role in enabling and facilitating the students’ participation in this prestigious international conference.

His support not only eased logistical and travel arrangements but also underscored USM’s commitment to nurturing student excellence and promoting active engagement on the global academic stage.

The Dean of HBP, Associate Professor Sr Ts. Dr. Md Azree Othuman Mydin said, “This remarkable achievement reflects the students’ dedication, confidence, research excellence, and strong commitment in representing HBP and USM with pride. It also demonstrates the strength of academic guidance, supervision, and mentorship provided by our lecturers and supervisors. HBP is truly proud of this achievement, and I hope it will continue to inspire more students to pursue excellence, embrace research culture, and shine on national and international platforms.”

He added, “Sincere appreciation is extended to Associate Professor Sr Dr. Ruhizal Roosli and Dr. Izyan Yahaya for accompanying, guiding, and supporting the students throughout the event.”

“Their commitment, together with the strong mentorship provided by the supervisors, has continued to strengthen HBP-USM’s reputation for academic excellence and student achievement,” said Md Azree.

“This success is a proof to the continuous efforts of HBP-USM in empowering students through academic excellence, research engagement, and meaningful participation in high-impact academic events.

“The achievement also serves as an inspiration for future students to be more actively involved in research, innovation, and knowledge-sharing activities beyond the classroom,” he said.

ISCU is a yearly event that brings together undergraduate students in surveying and built environment-related disciplines to present their research, exchange ideas, and demonstrate their academic capabilities.

The conference provides valuable exposure for students to strengthen their research skills, presentation confidence, critical thinking, and professional communication, while also encouraging healthy academic competition among institutions.

Text and Photo: Dr. Izyan Yahya, School of Housing, Building and Planning (HBP), USM/Editing: Tan Ewe Hoe