Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and Hanoi University of Civil Engineering (HUCE) in Vietnam are continuing their collaboration through the International Workshop on Asian Heritage (IWAH) consortium. This year’s workshop, titled “Exploring Malaysian Cultural Heritage: A Journey to the South (EMCH 2024),” aims to introduce participants from HUCE to the unique aspects of Malaysian cultural heritage via historical and cultural exploration of Malacca City and the craftsmanship of Johor.

The workshop is coordinated by Dr. Mohd Ruzaini Che Zahari and Dr. Lee Yoke Lai from the Landscape Architecture Department at the Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying (FABU), alongside seventeen Landscape Architecture students from the same faculty. The HUCE delegates from the Faculty of Architecture and Planning (FAP) are led by Dean Dr. Nguyen Cao Lanh, along with architecture lecturer Dao Hai Nam, staff member Hoang Thi Le, and fourteen architecture students.

The primary focus of the EMCH workshop is to promote international networking among participants—lecturers and students—through a series of curated activities centred around three main elements: history, culture, and craftsmanship. The theme “Journey to the South” reflects the path taken by the HUCE delegates during their visit to Malaysia, starting in Kuala Lumpur, then traveling to Putrajaya, Malacca, Johor Bahru, and concluding in Singapore. This itinerary illustrates the geographical character of peninsular Malaysia, providing an initial impression of their exploration.

On November 7, 2024 (Day 1), UTM delegates warmly welcomed HUCE at the Layang-Layang Guest House in Melaka. After checking in, the first activity involved an evening walk around the guest house to give delegates their first experience of Melaka’s urban character. Dinner was served at a local Malay restaurant near the Melaka Maritime Museum, Flor De La Mar, with recommendations from UTM delegates highlighting Malaysian cultural cuisine.

The following day, November 8, 2024, the workshop began with a walking excursion led by B.H. Ahmad Sabri Epit, an in-house tour guide from the Melaka Museums Corporation (PERZIM). Sabri took the participants to several landmarks in Melaka, starting from Jalan Kota and ending at the Melaka Sultanate Palace Museum, Porta de Santiago, Santiago Bastion, Melaka Hill, and finally, Stadthuys. During the excursion, participants learned about the historical foundation of Malacca city, covering the Sultanate period, as well as the Dutch, Portuguese, and British eras. Participants engaged actively by asking questions throughout the activity, which enhanced their understanding of Malacca City.

The walking excursion led by Sabri concluded around noon. Participants enjoyed an Asam Pedas lunch served near Taming Sari Tower. After lunch, the male Muslim participants attended Friday prayers while the others rested at the Guest House.

The evening activity featured a walking tour of Jonker Street, coordinated by UTM student representative Suriani Arjunaidi. Participants explored Tukang Emas Street, where nearby temples and mosques were highlighted for their significance to the cultural foundation of the Melaka community. The evening walk concluded at Hang Jebat Street, where participants were introduced to the cultural cuisine of the Melaka community.

After the excursion, all participants headed to Klebang Beach for dinner. At the beach, HUCE delegates discovered various Malaysian cuisines from nearby food trucks.

Day 3 began with a visit to Kampung Morten (Morten Village) in Melaka. Delegates toured two traditional Malay houses to explore their architectural features, including the design of the facade, the division of spaces within the house, and the layout of the surrounding landscape. During the visit, delegates exchanged knowledge about the ornamental plants in the area, discussing their names in Malaysian and Vietnamese languages.

Haji Ibrahim Haji Hashim from Villa Sentosa, one of Melaka’s traditional houses, guided the visit. He shared insights into the historical significance of his house, detailing the various spaces and elements surrounding it. Throughout the tour, delegates engaged by asking questions.

After the visit, the UTM and HUCE delegates departed for Johor Bahru to continue their activities on Day 4.

On Day 4, the morning and noon activities focused on promoting UTM through campus and faculty (FABU) tours. UTM student representative Muhammad Mirza Almubarak Abdul Mugni led the campus tour, which included several significant landmarks such as Masjid Sultan Ismail (MSI), Sultanah Zanariah Library (PSZ), Dewan Sultan Iskandar (DSI), and Tasik Ilmu UTM.

Following the tour, HUCE delegates joined UTM delegates for a sharing session in the FABU Gallery. Dr. Ruzaini conducted an exhibition tour in the Gallery before UTM and HUCE lecturers met with the FABU Dean, Professor Sr. Dr. Kherun Nita Ali.

During this meeting, the two deans discussed current collaborations and future opportunities related to workshops, research, and knowledge transfer. Additionally, UTM students engaged in a knowledge exchange with HUCE students, sharing their experiences at UTM and touring the landscape architecture studios.

Delegates continued their activities in the afternoon at the Johor Craft Complex (KKJ) to learn about Johor’s unique cultural craftsmanship. The visit was led by Mohd Rosdi Ibrahim, an artist representative from Kraftangan Malaysia. The day began with a tour of the Heritage Craft Gallery, where participants were introduced to various cultural crafts from Malaysia. Following this, a Batik painting activity allowed participants to express their creativity by coloring different batik designs, which they could take home as mementos. Finally, all delegates were taken to the Craft Village within the complex to observe the creation of traditional Malaysian crafts, including Batik, Kompang, and Anyaman Rotan.

Day 4 continued with the Closing Ceremony of the EMCH Workshop at Block B11, FABU. The ceremony was vibrant, with each university delegate dressed in traditional attire and a dinner featuring Malaysian cuisine. UTM students organized the event, including speeches from UTM and HUCE lecturers and cultural performances, such as the Zapin dance and the Chinese Fan dance performed by UTM delegates. HUCE students showcased a fashion show highlighting various Vietnamese cultural outfits.

The ceremony concluded with students and lecturers exchanging farewell gifts. HUCE FAP Dean, Arc. Dr. Lanh expressed his gratitude to UTM for the warm welcome extended to HUCE delegates and their hard work organizing the workshop. Additionally, one HUCE student delivered a heartfelt speech, thanking UTM delegates for broadening their understanding of Malaysian culture and heritage.

The EMCH 2024 workshop offered a valuable opportunity for scholars and students from UTM and HUCE to expand their networks through knowledge exchange and cultural exposure via various activities. The workshop aims to familiarize HUCE delegates with Malaysian cultural heritage, emphasizing the importance of protecting this heritage. The workshop is conducted under the IWAH consortium platform and fosters close relationships between the universities, promoting future collaborations. UTM is also grateful to UTM International and the Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying for their support in sponsoring landscape architecture students to participate in this workshop.

By: Dr. Mohd Ruzaini Che Zahari, Landscape Architecture Department, FABU UTM Johor Bahru

Source: UTM NewsHub