Written by Abdul Wafi Razali
Ten architecture students from the Faculty of Built Environment (FBE) participated in the PAM Annual Architectural Studio Works Exhibition (PAASWE 2026), held from 14 to 18 October 2026 at 1 Utama Shopping Centre, Bandar Utama, Selangor. The five-day event provided a platform for students to showcase their creativity, technical skills, and design capabilities alongside peers from other institutions.
As an annual architectural exhibition, PAASWE challenges students to translate academic knowledge into creative design solutions through theme-based competitions. The event bridges classroom learning and practical application, encouraging participants to explore innovative ideas and demonstrate their architectural capabilities in a competitive environment.
This year, UNIMAS participated in all six competition categories, namely Booth Design, Chair Design, Costume Design, Sketching, Mural, and Stick Structure. The delegation was accompanied by Ts. Mohd. Anis Yaziq bin Alimin and Ar. Awang Hasim bin Awang Sulong, who provided guidance and support throughout the programme. Students contributed according to their individual strengths and skill sets, working collaboratively to overcome design challenges, manage time constraints, and deliver their competition entries.
A notable achievement was securing second place in the Booth Design Competition, alongside a consolation prize in the Sketching Competition. Beyond these awards, participation offered valuable exposure to diverse design approaches and opportunities to exchange ideas with architecture students from other institutions.
The initiative aligns with UNIMAS 2030 Strategic Pillar 2 – Future-Ready NextGen of Graduates & Alumni, reflecting the university’s commitment to preparing graduates for future professional challenges through experiential learning and engagement beyond the classroom. The faculty extends its sincere appreciation to the Student Development Centre, UNIMAS, for sponsorship and support, as well as Embun Permata Sdn. Bhd. and 3D Gens Borneo Sdn. Bhd. for their generous contributions towards the students’ participation. The support of these organisations, together with the dedication of the student delegation and accompanying lecturers, played an important role in making UNIMAS’s participation in this national-level event possible.
Ultimately, PAASWE 2026 was more than an exhibition or competition. It was an opportunity for students to put their knowledge into practice, challenge their creative boundaries, and experience the value of teamwork and perseverance. While the awards marked significant accomplishments, the experience itself provided meaningful lessons that will continue to shape their academic and future professional journeys.