PENANG, 22 January 2016 – Two Architectural degrees from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) have now been recognised and accredited by the world-renowned professional body, the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE), which was established in 1925. These accreditations would be in effect until July 2020.

According to the Dean, School of Housing, Building and Planning (HBP) USM, Professor Dr. Aldrin Abdullah, his office has recently received the feedback concerning the accreditations for B.Sc HBP (Architecture) and B.Arch, where Level 1 studies would be for 3 years and Level 2 would be for 2 years, which would allow the students opportunities for scholarships and convenience of references, as well as the availability of facilities for the staff to carry out research work.

CABE is a world-renowned professional body in the field of ‘design, construction, evaluation and maintenance of buildings’, with the presence of members in the United Kingdom, Europe and the rest of the world as well as in the public and private sectors. It awards recognitions to professional expertise in the related fields.

CABE has 12 offices in United Kingdom and Ireland and are establishing branches (chapters) in Macau, Hong Kong, Singapore, West Asia and the United States, and also the latest in Malaysia.

“This recognition is important in ensuring that USM would be able to initiate collaborations around the world in the field of Architecture, and even in other relevant fields such as student mobility as well as in research and innovation, in sharing the expertise with others the world over, at the same time acquiring technical assistance whenever required,” said Aldrin.

Currently, there are 144 students undergoing the USM Architecture Level 1 programme and 50 students pursuing their studies at Level 2. USM has produced more than 800 graduates in Architecture since it was introduced in 1972.

The School of Housing, Building and Planning offers study programmes in the fields of Construction Management, Interior Design, Building Technology, Quantity Surveying, Urban and Regional Planning, and Building Surveying; with the number of students currently at 800.

“We hope to gain more such recognitions, and even striving to offer offshore courses in various countries around the world, with the latest being the effort to explore opportunities for cooperation with the Summit Group Academy in Turkey,” said Aldrin.

Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin

Text: Mohamad Abdullah / Photos: Mohd Fairus Md. Isa