The Architecture Department of Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U) successfully conducted a benchmarking visit to the University Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) Department of Architecture and Sustainable Design (DASD) at the Sungai Long Campus in Selangor, Malaysia on May 29, 2026.
The primary objective of the visit was to establish institutional connections and explore opportunities for academic collaboration and exchange between ISAT U and UTAR. The delegation, composed of BS Architecture 4-A and 4-B students together with faculty members Ar. Ma. Regina Falconite, Ar. Myren C. Dorado, and Ar. John Zeus Rosalin, was warmly welcomed by key officials of UTAR’s Sungai Long Campus.
UTAR’s DASD is fully accredited by the Board of Architects Malaysia and is recognized for its innovative approach to architectural education. Moving beyond purely theoretical instruction, DASD immerses students in a vibrant studio culture that emphasizes ecological resilience, climate-responsive design, and cultural context.
A highlight of the benchmarking visit was UTAR’s distinctive 3+2 curriculum structure, which has been in place since the department’s inception. This model provides valuable insights into program design, delivery, and progression, serving as a reference point for ISAT U’s own academic development.
UTAR also offers an international student exchange program lasting three months during its second semester, which conveniently aligns with the Philippine academic calendar. Given UTAR’s three-semester academic system, this arrangement presents a flexible and strategic opportunity for student mobility and collaboration.
Through this benchmarking initiative, ISAT U aims to broaden its academic horizons, strengthen its global partnerships, and provide its students with enriched learning experiences that prepare them for the challenges of sustainable and culturally responsive architectural practice.
