By: Zarith Sofea Ibrahim
Photos by: Muhammad Syuqqree Mohd Dain
SERDANG, 25 May – Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), through the Faculty of Design and Architecture (FRSB), has recently strengthened its international academic network by hosting the launch of the book Urban Development of Warsaw: On A Trajectory of Changing Urban Landscapes – A Comparative Analysis with Kuala Lumpur at Galeri Serdang, FRSB.
The event was officiated by UPM Vice-Chancellor Dato’ Prof. Ir. Dr. Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah FASc and attended by the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Malaysia, H.E. Mr. Krzysztof Dobrowolski, academic delegates from the University of Warsaw and representatives from the Embassy of Poland.
Dato’ Prof. Ir. Dr. Ahmad Farhan said the publication reflects UPM’s commitment to expanding global collaborations, particularly in the areas of urban development, sustainability and community wellbeing.
“As cities continue to grow rapidly, urban development must be carried out in a balanced manner with strong emphasis on sustainability and planetary health, in line with UPM’s planetary health agenda.
“Universities also play an important role in addressing the challenges of changing urban landscapes while empowering community wellbeing through sustainable development,” he said during the event.
H.E. Mr. Krzysztof said the publication serves as a significant symbol commemorating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and Poland, while also reflecting the growing academic ties between the two countries.
“This book is not only an academic documentation but also a source of inspiration for students and researchers to further explore urban development and Malaysia-Poland bilateral relations,” he said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Design and Architecture (FRSB), UPM, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Shureen Faris Abd Shukor, said collaboration between FRSB, UPM and the Embassy of Poland began in 2015 through the organisation of the Polish Architecture and Urbanism exhibition at Galeri Serdang.
She said the partnership has continued to grow through various academic initiatives, including the signing of memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between UPM and Polish universities such as Kazimierz Wielki University in 2019 and the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdansk in 2022.
“The collaboration also includes various programmes such as art exhibitions, Erasmus+ staff exchanges, and academic activities that benefit both institutions,” she said.
The event also featured three knowledge-sharing sessions by academics from Poland: Dr. Katarzyna Wagner on History of Warsaw, Dr. Marek Kozlowski on Warsaw and Kuala Lumpur – What Can the Two Cities Learn from Each Other, and Professor Hubert Kowalski, who discussed Heritage and Modernity – University Campuses in Poland.
The sessions provided insights into the history of Warsaw, urban development, exchanges of ideas between Warsaw and Kuala Lumpur, as well as the balance between heritage preservation and modernisation in higher education institutions in Poland.
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