Since its establishment in 1972, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) has pioneered the training of leaders who design, manage, and administer the spaces where people live, work, and thrive. From the Faculty of Built Environment (FAB) — later expanded into the Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying (FABU) — generations of urban and regional planners have graduated with a vision that goes far beyond buildings and roads.
At its heart, urban planning is community building: making cities liveable, sustainable, and resilient places for people to flourish. This has been UTM’s legacy for decades — nurturing professionals who are not only technically competent, but also guided by values of service and responsibility, true to our motto: “Kerana Tuhan untuk Manusia” (In the Name of God for Mankind).
Spotlight on a Notable Alumnus: Dato’ TPr. Fadlun Mak Ujud
One alumnus who exemplifies this legacy is Dato’ TPr. Fadlun Mak Ujud, who graduated in 1992 with a Bachelor’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from UTM. Throughout his career, he has dedicated himself to shaping Malaysia’s urban future. His leadership has been widely recognised, including his appointment as President of Perbadanan Putrajaya (PPj) in June 2022, a position he continues to hold, and his conferment as a Fellow Member of the Malaysian Institute of Planners (MIP) in 2020.
From his days as a student planner in UTM Johor Bahru (then known as UTM Skudai) to his current role leading Malaysia’s federal administrative capital, Dato’ Fadlun’s journey reflects the impact that education, vision, and leadership can bring to nation building.
“UTM gave me more than a degree — it gave me the values and perspective that continue to guide my work today. From my days as a student in Skudai to my role in shaping Putrajaya, I carry with me the belief that planning is ultimately about serving society.”
Driving Putrajaya’s Growth
As President of PPj, Dato’ Fadlun has been entrusted with overseeing Putrajaya’s continued evolution — not only as an administrative hub but also as a symbol of Malaysia’s aspirations for modern, sustainable governance. His leadership blends planning expertise with policy insight, ensuring that Putrajaya remains a smart, green, and people-friendly city.
“Cities are more than concrete and infrastructure — they are living testaments of our values and aspirations. My journey from UTM to leading Putrajaya has always been guided by the principle that planning must innovate while serving people, because nation building begins with liveable communities.”
Since June 2022, he has led transformation efforts to enhance service delivery, streamline procedures, and accelerate planning approvals. Under his leadership, Putrajaya continues to grow as a leading smart city — one that integrates technology with the principles of sustainable, resilient, and inclusive planning.
His visionary leadership is further demonstrated through the Kota Madani Putrajaya initiative, undertaken under the mandate of the Prime Minister. This landmark project represents a new benchmark in Malaysia’s urban development — a large-scale integrated, vertical, mixed-use government quarters development that will deliver more than 10,000 housing units, complemented by schools, childcare centres, healthcare facilities, places of worship, recreational spaces, and community hubs.
By embracing the principles of compact, vertical, and walkable planning, Kota Madani Putrajaya is designed not merely as a housing solution, but as a self-sustaining neighbourhood ecosystem where residents can live, learn, work, and connect within a short walking distance. The master plan integrates low-carbon mobility systems, green corridors, and public spaces that foster community interaction and reduce dependency on private vehicles, positioning Putrajaya at the forefront of smart and sustainable urban living.
Crucially, under Dato’ Fadlun’s stewardship, Kota Madani is envisioned as a model for inclusive vertical development in Malaysia. Its concept, blending sustainability, liveability, and resilience — can be emulated or adapted for other urban redevelopment projects nationwide, particularly in cities facing land scarcity, population growth, and the need to regenerate aging urban areas. By demonstrating how compact, vertical neighbourhoods can remain inclusive, liveable, and community-oriented, Kota Madani provides a replicable framework that strengthens Malaysia’s capacity to build cities of the future.
This initiative reflects his strong belief that nation building begins with people-centred, future-ready communities and aligns with Malaysia’s broader aspirations for a greener, more sustainable, and equitable urban future.
YBhg. Dato’ TPr. Fadlun together with UTM alumni from the corporation’s staff, warmly welcomed and celebrated the arrival of the convoy participants at Dataran Perbadanan Putrajaya in conjunction with the UTM 50th Anniversary Merdeka Convoy in 2022Recognition from the Planning Profession
In 2020, Dato’ Fadlun was conferred the honour of Fellow of the Malaysian Institute of Planners (MIP), one of the profession’s highest honours. In 2024, he was further recognised with the MIP President’s Award for his outstanding contribution to the development of Putrajaya and his leadership role in advancing town planning practice.
This recognition reflects not only his technical expertise but also his thought leadership in inspiring the next generation of planners. His commitment to MIP has been evident through his active support in promoting professional excellence, raising standards, and driving innovation to ensure that the profession remains relevant in addressing contemporary challenges.
UTM’s Legacy, Malaysia’s Future
The story of Dato’ Fadlun is more than a tale of individual achievement — it is also a reflection of UTM’s mission in action. UTM graduates carry forward values of innovation, sustainability, and service to society, helping shape Malaysia’s urban and regional landscapes.
As UTM continues to drive its vision of “Innovating Sustainable Solutions”, we are reminded that our alumni are among the nation’s greatest assets. They are proof that education builds more than careers — it builds communities, cities, and ultimately, nations.
We proudly celebrate Dato’ TPr. Fadlun Mak Ujud as a UTM alumnus who has dedicated his life to nation building through urban and regional planning. His story is an inspiration to our students, our alumni community, and to Malaysia.
Source: UTM NewsHub