In a remarkable display of academic excellence and research acumen, two final-year students from Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) emerged as Gold Award winners at the 17th International Surveying Conference for Undergraduates (ISCU 2025). Held on 16 and 17 May 2025 Dewan Seri Iskandar, UiTM Perak Branch, the conference was jointly organised by the Royal Institution of Surveyors Malaysia (RISM) and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Perak under the theme Embracing Construction Revolution 4.0 (CR4.0): Transforming Malaysia’s Built Environment.
Representing the Department of Surveying under the Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science (LKC FES), Ling Xin Yu and Chua Kah Ling triumphed in their respective paper sub-themes, each securing a Gold Award. Their outstanding research contributions were supervised by Sr Dr Wong Phui Fung and Assoc Prof Ir Ts Dr Jeffrey Yap Boon Hui, respectively.
Ling’s award-winning paper, titled Assessing acceptance of retirement villages in Klang Valley, Malaysia: Strategies to overcome barriers, delves into the societal need for sustainable retirement living in an ageing Malaysia. Her study rigorously analyses public perceptions and proposes strategic solutions to facilitate greater acceptance of retirement villages. She noted, “This award reinforces my confidence in the relevance and potential impact of my research. It encourages me to continue contributing to discussions around elderly housing solutions. I feel incredibly honoured and grateful.”
Chua’s research, Optimising time, cost, and quality: The role of smart technologies in construction project management, explores the transformative role of digital tools such as Building information modelling (BIM), internet of things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI) and automation in modernising the Malaysian construction industry. Her findings offer a strategic framework grounded in empirical data from industry professionals, aligning with the aspirations of Malaysia’s Construction 4.0 agenda and the National Construction Policy 2030. Chua remarked, “Construction is no longer just about bricks and mortar. It's about data, automation, and smarter decisions. We’re proud to be part of this digital transformation.”
The ISCU serves as a vital platform for undergraduates across Southeast Asia to engage in cross-border academic exchange, spotlighting contemporary issues in the construction and property sectors. Participants presented research addressing themes from digital innovation to asset governance, offering novel insights to both academic and professional audiences.
The achievement of Ling and Chua underscores UTAR’s dedication to cultivating a research-driven learning environment where students are empowered to address real-world challenges with intellectual rigour and societal impact. Their success not only affirms the quality of undergraduate research at UTAR but also contributes meaningfully to national dialogues on ageing and digital infrastructure.
Dr Wong with Ling (left), and Dr Jeffrey Yap with Chua Kah Ling (right) accompanied by Head of Department of Surveying Dr Felicia Yong Yan Yan in both photos
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