I'm beginning to worry to see how you're okay with the rampant corruption in Malaysia. I understand that there will always be lobbyists in politics or every other example in Freakonomics but saying that Malaysia is good with corruption is a different thing. I am at least opposed to corruption and pretty much aware of how it is slowly destroying our country. Since you're knowledgeable in economics I believe you've heard that we lost RM 10 billion annually to corruption. So, you are complaining how bad the roads are (federal and rural roads to me at least), it should be obvious to you that where the money has gone to. Removing corruption isn't all that hard, all it needs is just a government that is honest in pursuing a transparent bureaucracy.

I hope I get you wrong but you seemingly underestimated the role of architecture in society in that we never look beyond architecture itself. An outlook of how design affects our daily life can be found in de Botton's The Architecture of Happiness, although it is a very general opinion on the wide-ranging spectrum of architecture, at least for me. Nevertheless, it is a great read for those who are outside the architectural sphere.

Also, professionals like engineers and architects doesn't always have to go for public projects, but rather most of them do private projects. In fact, I think it is important that the government do off-source public works to architects, therefore raising the standards for good design, well hopefully. There are some good architecture done by locals compared to our seemingly 'foreign' landmarks in our country, but I wouldn't blame much on that. I mean most national landmarks overseas aren't designed by locals anyway. Sometimes it is the Malaysian public that is uneducated on architecture. For example how many of you still see houses with Corinthian columns under construction?

I agree with azarimy's critical mass of good designers needed to kickstart the transformation of built environment. But then again see how many architects are there in Malaysia, I mean qualified and licensed ones to leverage the current situation. Australia for example have at least 13,000 architects with their total population of 21 million, Malaysia barely has 2,000 architects out of 28 million population. The brain drain Malaysia is currently having compounds to this problem. However, just wait around and doing good design isn't enough- I think advocacy of good design AND its process is particularly important, hence the article in my blog.

OK, 1744 to be exact.

This post has been edited by tehtmc: Jan 21 2011, 12:33 AM

So it seems that i can only choose 2 institutions right? as all the architecture course needs interview.

Well that sucks, i heard Malaysia need architects.. and yet they are limiting people to even try..

Anyhow, best of luck to everyone. Never gives up, that's all i can say.

lol that would be better than what they did with medicine ahaha so many people can do.
Anyway good luck =D

what, u dont like interviews?

well, dont do architecture at all then. coz u will be debating ur work in crits like everyday of the semester. it's like interviews, but 10 times harder .

No, u got me wrong. I want to be interviewed from all the schools if possible, but they only allow to choose 2 institutions.

This post has been edited by croviax: Jan 21 2011, 10:48 AM

and have u called UPU?

Yes i did, they say those with interview can only be chosen under Option 1 and Option 2. Since all Degree programs for architecture requires interview, only 2 can be selected.

2+1 (UPU+USM)
don't forget to apply USM as well...

http://pohon.usm.my

Thanks, but I've already applied

congrat..haha..
it is easy to get architecture in USM..
at my time, there was a girl who cried all along the interview session..
she couldnt answer any question at all..
and she made it...

p/s: beware of Pn.Mariah..hehe

wait. who said ALL degree programmes for architecture requires interview?

only UTM, UiTM and UKM interviews their prospective architecture students.

nowadays all degree programmes for architecture requires interview including UM, USM and also UPM..
u can refer to http://upu.mohe.gov.my
and click "syarat am and syarat khas program"..
huhu..

This post has been edited by arkitek: Jan 21 2011, 01:35 PM

May i know what are the requirements to get into USM Architecture?(e.g. cgpa,muet results,certain subject need higher GPA)
I'm a science student,am i given priority rather than the arts students?
I dont do seni during my SPM & STPM,will it affect from choosing me in architecture?
During the interview what must i prepare?
arkitek said interview is easy,how true is this?may be the gurl's CGPA is high or maybe she do well on drawing.

Everything is listed in their website. You might want to wear your reading glasses as they love to write as if it's a storybook

Could you show me the link?
So which uni you wish to get it?I saw diff uni have diff subject to study,althought is still architecture.

USM architecture?
1.cgpa must higher than 3.40 ( most of the student got 3.6 in their STPM)..
2. there are no specific subject to be scored in stpm..just CGPA..
2.Seni subject is not considered in USM interview...but you must know how to draw sectional drawing..
3. architecture interview in USM is easy since i was in USM.. (they will take your pointer as their priority)
4. for interview, please prepare your stationary, portfolio (just draw anything) and read about archictecture..make sure you know one of the famous architects and building that you desired and why.. (that will impress the interviewer)

p/s : this is in USM only...i don't know much about another university..
p/s 2 : the interviewer will be Pn.Mariah, Prof Majid and Dr.Rodzi..

---

Added on January 22, 2011, 2:37 amsame syllabus but different name..
for example in UTM they call " FIZIK LENGKUNGAN"..
in USM they call " ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE"..

in USM, you need to fullfil CORE (75 unit) and ELECTIVE (20 unit) subjects..
CORE subjects are compulsory...
ELECTIVE subjects you can choose independently.. (there are about 40 elective subjects..1 subject =3 unit)


the syllabus need to be followed in order to get accredited by LAM...
if i'm not mistaken.

This post has been edited by arkitek: Jan 22 2011, 02:45 AM

Thanks a lot.
How long have you been studying architecture in USM?all subjects in Eng?
I heard that all architecture course students are buzy on their project all year long and even dont get sufficient sleep sometimes.is it that stressful?
and azarimy mention students have to debate?do you debate that much?
seems like architecture is more on debating rather than designing and building structures for the community.

it sounds stressful, but weirdly enough, most of them enjoyed it. it's because the payoff of the stress is well worth the effort (and i dont mean in monetary terms!).

architecture IS about designing. but the process of design involves dialogue - either a dialogue with urself, friends, tutor or even experienced architects. the thing is, if u cant convince the others how good ur designs are, then u can even design the most brilliant design but no one will pay attention to it.

never underestimate how important debating is in architecture. but seriously, u cant debate something that is weak to begin with. so bottom line is: design is like the skill to ride the bicycle, and debating is the bicycle itself.

Totally understand your statement,is like you have to design something and to convince your classmates your design is worth to build,rite?
Speaking about monetary terms,averagely how much does a architecture student spend during the course?(e.g. tools, reference books, gadgets...)
i read your post on the front page saying that there are no scholarships offer to architecture students.how do the not so rich students manage their cost?