Faculty of Industrial Fine Arts and Faculty of Civil Engineering (TDTU) Welcomes the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Malaysia

On April 24, 2025, the Faculty of Industrial Fine Arts (MTCN) and the Faculty of Civil Engineering (KTCT) at Ton Duc Thang University (TDTU) organized a reception for Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and hosted the international workshop titled “Urban Planning and Housing Ideas – Case Studies from Malaysia and Vietnam.” This event aimed to promote international cooperation in education and research, while also providing TDTU students with opportunities to engage with international peers, enhance their professional skills, and contribute to the university’s goal of becoming a leading research institution. Additionally, the program offered students exposure to global cultures, personal development, and improved the university’s teaching and research quality.
The USM delegation was led by Ms. Zalena binti Abdul Aziz, a lecturer at the School of Architecture, accompanied by two other lecturers and 35 students. Also attending were Mr. Anuar Rizal Bin Abdul Rahim and Mr. Michael ONG Chin Keong, both lecturers from the School of Architecture at USM. The delegation brought valuable perspectives from Malaysia, a country with a rich architectural heritage and sustainable urban development experience.
The program began at 9:00 AM on April 24 with an official welcome and working session. Representatives from both universities introduced the architectural traditions of Malaysia and Vietnam, along with their histories, strengths, and potentials for cooperation. This was followed by the international workshop featuring two main presentations:
Topic 1: “Urban Planning and Heritage Insights of Georgetown, Penang,” presented by Ms. Zalena from USM.
Topic 2: “Future Innovative Housing Ideas From Vernacular Architecture Concepts,” presented by Dr. Nguyễn Minh Hiếu from the Faculty of Industrial Fine Arts.
After the presentations, a student exchange session took place from 10:30 to 11:30 AM, during which students from both institutions shared their learning experiences and discussed topics related to architecture and urban planning. This session allowed students not only to broaden their perspectives but also to build personal connections between the two academic communities.
Finally, the USM delegation toured TDTU’s facilities, experiencing the university’s dynamic and modern learning environment. The program concluded with a wrap-up session, where both sides expressed satisfaction with the event and committed to continued cooperation in the future.
The program was not only a valuable learning opportunity but also an important step toward building a strong network of international collaboration, offering long-term benefits for students, lecturers, and the academic communities of both universities.

Some photos from the event: