Professor Dr. Yahaya Ahmad, D.J.N. (Pulau Pinang), MRISM, ICOMOS

PhD (Conservation Mgmt.), Liverpool UK (2004), Master of Architecture, Washington Univ. USA (1988),

Master of Construction Management (1987), BA(Architecture), Washington Univ. USA (1986)

 

Personal

Date of Birth                     : 19th November 1963

Contact Address              : Department of Architecture, Faculty of Built Environment

                                           University of Malaya, Lembah Pantai 50603, Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA

Phone/Email                     : Office: 603-7967-5395; Mobile: 6019-632-4079; E-mail : yahaya@um.edu.my

 

Current Administrative Appointment:

Associate Vice-Chancellor (Corporate Strategy) (20 Sep 2021 - 19 sep 2023)

University of Malaya

 

Director (1 Jun 2016 – 31 Dec 2021)

ASEAN University Network-Disability and Public Policy (AUN-DPPnet)

University of Malaya / AUN Bangkok / The Nippon Foundation Japan

 

Previous Administrative Appointments:

Director, Corporate Strategy Centre, University Malaya (1 Apr -19 Sep 2021)

Dean, Faculty of Built Environment (1 Jul 2014 – 9 Aug 2020)

Deputy Dean, Sustainability Science Research Cluster, UM (Jan 2013 – Jan 2014)

Coordinator, Master of Architecture (Part II) Programme, UM (Oct 2013 – Jun 2014)

Coordinator, Bachelor of Architecture programme, University of Malaya (Apr – Oct 2013)

Deputy Dean (Higher Degrees & Research), Faculty of Built Environment (Sep 2009 – Jun 2011)

Deputy Dean (Undergraduate & Development), Faculty of Built Environment (Jul 2005 - Feb 2007)

Head of Building Surveying Department, Faculty of Built Environment (2000-2001)

Head of Architecture Department, Faculty of Built Environment (1999-2001)

Architecture Course Coordinator, Faculty of Engineering (1997-1999)

 

Other Key Appointments

i.          Council Member, The International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM / UNESCO) from 2007-2011, elected by 130 countries during ICCROM 25th General Assembly in Rome

ii.         Deputy Heritage Commissioner, Department of National Heritage, Ministry of Arts, Culture and Heritage Malaysia (secondment as JUSA C) (2007-2009)

 

One Paragraph CV :

Professor Dr. Yahaya Ahmad started his academic career at the Universiti Teknologi Mara (ITM) in 1989 before joining the University of Malaya in 1995, as one of the pioneering staff to establish the Department of Architecture and the Faculty of Built Environment, University of Malaya. Currently, is the Director of ASEAN University Network-Disability and Public Policy (AUN-DPPnet) University of Malaya. He held several key administrative posts at the university from Head of Departments to Deputy Deans and recently as Dean of the Faculty of Built Environment for more than 6 years. Specializing on conservation of historic buildings and management of heritage sites, Professor Yahaya was seconded to the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage Malaysia as Deputy Commissioner of Heritage (Timbalan Pesuruhjaya Warisan). He was the first and the only Malaysian to-date, elected by more than 130 State Party representatives, to serve as Council Member of UNESCO inter-governments organisation, The International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM/UNESCO) from 2007-2011. He was tasked by the Government of Malaysia to head team of local and international experts to prepare re-nomination Dossier for Melaka and George Town as World Heritage Site, UNESCO (2004-2007). He involved in the drafting of the National Heritage Act (2005) Malaysia. His restoration and conservation works includes re-construction of Bastion Middlesburg, Melaka Fort (2007-2008). Restoration of Sg Buloh Leprosy Hospital (2010-2011), Restoration scope of Sultan Suleiman Mosque, Klang (2011) and Sultan Alaeddin Mosque, Jugra , Selangor (2011), and consultant for the Restoration of Masjid Jamek Bandaraya KL and more than twenty others.   Appointed as Conservation Technical Expert to ThinkCity of Khazanah Nasional since 2009 to evaluate, so far more than 100 conservation grant applications. Appointed by Ahmedabad Municipal Council, India as International Expert to prepare Nomination Dossier for the Historic City of Ahmedabad (2011-2016), by the Government of the Republic of Maldives for nomination of Coral Stones Mosques of Maldives and by Kabupaten Solok Selatan, Indonesia for nomination of Rumah Gadang Solok Selatan. He was the recipient of Malaysia’s Research Star Award (2019) under category Citation Classic by Elsevier and Clarivate Analytics International, recipient of UM Excellent Award (ACUM) 2019 under category Best Academic Administrator and ACUM category Arts & Creativity in 2013, recipient of Highly Commended Award by Structural Survey Emerald Publishing Limited in 2017 and recipient of Anugerah Pemikiran dan Rekabentuk Semula (Kategori Pengalaman Pembelajaran Imersif Bersemuka) by the Ministry of Higher Education, 3rd Place  in 2017.  He has graduated fifteen PhD students and supervising twelve candidates on different aspects of heritage, conservation and built environment.

 

Full CV is available upon request.

 

PROF. DR YAHAYA AHMAD IMPACT STATEMENT

 

Accomplishment 01

APPOINTED AS HEAD OF EXPERT COMMITTEE TEAM TO PREPARE RE-NOMINATION DOSSIER OF MELAKA & GEORGE TOWN AS UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE (2004-2007)

 

Appointed by the Government of Malaysia (2004-2007) as Head of Expert Committee to prepare Re-Nomination Dossier for Melaka and George Town as World Heritage Site of UNESCO.  My main task was to coordinate input from international and local experts, establish the Outstanding Universal Values (OUV), re-structure the focus of Dossier, draft Conservation Management Plans of both towns, protection measures, management and stakeholders’ support. The Dossier was completed and submitted to the UNESCO in 2007.  Melaka dan George Town were inscribed at the 32nd WHC/UNESCO Meeting in Quebec City, Canada in 2008.

 

Accomplishment 02

ELECTED AS COUNCIL MEMBER OF ICCROM/UNESCO (2007-2011)

 

Elected as Council Member of ICCROM/UNESCO at the 25th General Assembly of The International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) in Rome, Italy in Nov 2007 by more than 130 Member State’s representatives. ICCROM is an intergovernmental organisation established by the UNESCO in 1956 that focuses on conservation training, information, research, cooperation and advocacy of its Members States. As Council Member to this Intergovernmental agency, I worked with experts around the globe on conservation trainings and courses in different regions of the globe, both on tangible and intangible cultural heritage. I was the first and the only Malaysian, so far, appointed to the Council and my association with ICCROM is still strong until present days.

 

During the Assembly I was also Elected as the Vice-President of 25th ICCROM General Assembly in Rome, to help ensure the smooth running of the General Assembly. 

 

Accomplishment 03

APPOINTED AS INTERNATIONAL HERITAGE EXPERT TO PREPARE UNESCO NOMINATION DOSSIERS (2009-current)

 

My expertise on the management of World Heritage Sites is recognised internationally.  I was invited by a few countries to date, to assist them in the preparation of Nomination Dossier for their heritage cities and sites to the UNESCO World Heritage List.  In particular are these towns:

·      As International Expert to prepare Draft Nomination Dossier for the Coral Stone Mosques of Maldives to the UNESCO World Heritage List.  Appointed by Department of Heritage, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Republic of Maldives, with UNESCO grant. The site is now listed in the UNESCO Tentative List.

·      As International Technical Committee to advise on Preparation Nomination Dossier for the Historic City of Ahmedabad, India to the UNESCO World Heritage List.  Appointed by Ahmedabad Municipal Council, India. The city was inscribed in 2016.

·     As International Expert to help prepare Nomination Dossier for Rumah Gadang Solok Selatan Indonesia to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Appointed by Solok Selatan Municipal Council. At preparation stage.

 

Accomplishment 04

SECONDED AS DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF HERITAGE (Timbalan Pesuruhjaya Warisan), DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL HERITAGE, MALAYSIA (2007-2009)

 

Appointed by the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage as Deputy Commissioner of Heritage (Timbalan Pesuruhjaya Warisan), JUSA C. I was seconded to the Ministry to assist the Commissioner of Heritage on wide scope includes: to establish the Department of National Heritage Malaysia, to implement provisions of National Heritage Act (2005) related to the protection, management and gazetting of heritage sites and objects, to establish conservation standards and procedures, to implement and monitor restoration of heritage buildings and sites, to ensure successful application of Melaka and George Town as UNESCO World Heritage Sites and to represent Malaysia to many international meetings and workshops on cultural heritage.

 

Accomplishment 05

CONSULTANTS FOR RESTORATION OF NOTABLE HERITAGE BUILDINGS AND PREPARATION OF HERITAGE STUDIES AND REPORTS (2007-Current)

 

I have been directly involved in actual restoration of heritage buildings in Malaysia, as main conservation expert.  To date there are more than 20 such heritage buildings with different complexities and challenges; and the client ranges from private owners to contractors, architects and government agencies.  To some extent, I have paved and established restoration standards and practices in Malaysia.  In recent years, consultation includes:

·      Heritage Sectorial Studies for Local Planning (Rancangan Tempatan) Kuala Kubu Baru 2025. Client: APUDG-AJM Architect & Planning

·      Heritage Sectorial Studies for Local Planning (Rancangan Tempatan) Kuala Kangsar 2035. Client: APUDG-AJM Architect & Planning

·      Preparation of UNESCO Nomination Dossier for Niah Cave National Park, Sarawak.

     Client: Sarawak MUzium Department and UTM

·      Conservation of Masjid Jamek Kuala Lumpur.  Client: Pujangga Kreatif Sdn. Bhd.

·      Maintenance and Upgrading Report of Sultan Salehuddin Abd. Aziz Shah Mosque, Shah Alam.  Client: JKR (Public Works Department), Selangor.

·      Conservation Assessment and Statement (CAST), Conservation of Sultan Alaeddin Mosque, Jugra, Malaysia.  Client : JKR (Public Works Department), Selangor.

·      Conservation Assessment and Statement (CAST), Conservation of Sultan Suleiman Mosque, Klang, Malaysia.  Client: JKR (Public Works Department), Selangor.

·      Restoration of ‘Hospital Kusta’ Sungai Buloh.  Client: Techlab Sdn. Bhd.

 

Accomplishment 06

CONSERVATION TECHNICAL ADVISOR TO THINK CITY, KHAZANAH NASIONAL (2009-2018)

 

I was appointed by Think City Sdn. Bhd., a subsidiary of Khazanah Nasional as Technical Advisory Expert to evaluate conservation applications submitted by the residents, under George Town Grants Programme (GTGP) in Penang and some applications in Kuala Lumpur. I have reviewed, made technical visits, provided suggestions for scope of restoration and gave technical advice. I have recommended more than 100 applications from the residents before being finalised by the Board of Think City. Most of the recipients in the core and buffer zones of George Town have benefited from this grant and have restored their heritage houses.  As a result, the heritage streetscapes of George Town, in particular, has improved tremendously.

 

Accomplishment 07

KEY PERSONNEL TO ESTABLISH THE ARCHITECTURE COURSE AND THE FACULTY OF BUILT ENVIRONMENT, UNIVERSITY OF MALAYA (1995 – current)

 

I was invited to join the academic team of the University of Malaya by the Dean of Engineering in 1995, to help establish the architecture course and the Faculty of Built Environment.  As one of the four pioneering staff, I have involved directly in all aspects of course planning and development including course recognition and accreditation, infrastructure, staff development and student’s intake. The architecture programmes, both Part I and II, have received full professional accreditation from Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia; and the first in Malaysia and third in Asia Pacific that received full accreditation from the Royal Institute of British Architect (RIBA).

 

As for the establishment of the Faculty of Built Environment, I have the privileged to be the key personnel in developing the Faculty from 4 staff, 26 students in 1995 to what the Faculty is now in 2020 with more than 1,000 students, 5 undergraduate programmes, 6 postgraduate programmes including PhD; and from merely one small classroom in the Faculty of Engineering to 220,000sf of Faculty’s complex - Mercu Alam Bina

 

 

Accomplishment 08

KEY UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATIVE POSTS (1997 – current)

I was given due trust and responsibility by the top management of the University of Malaya to hold several important administrative posts from Course Coordinators, to Head of Departments, Deputy Deans, Dean of Faculty and now as Director of UM Strategic Centre and Director of AUN-DPPnet :

·      Director,Global Planning & Strategy Centre, UM (1 Apr 2021–current)

·      Director AUN-DPPnet University of Malaya (2016- current)

·      Dean, Faculty of Built Environment (1 Jul 2014 – 9 Aug 2020)

·      Deputy Dean, Sustainability Science Research Cluster, UM (Jan 2013 – Jan 2014)

·      Coordinator, Master of Architecture (Part II) Programme, UM (Oct 2013 – Jun 2014)

·      Coordinator, Bachelor of Architecture programme, University of Malaya (Apr – Oct 2013)

·      Deputy Dean (Higher Degrees & Research), FBE (Sep 2009 – Jun 2011)

·      Deputy Dean (Undergraduate & Development), FBE (Jul 2005 - Feb 2007)

·      Head of Building Surveying Department, Faculty of Built Environment (2000-2001)

·      Head of Architecture Department, Faculty of Built Environment (1999-2001)

·      Architecture Course Coordinator, Faculty of Engineering (1997-1999)

 

Accomplishment 09

ESTABLISHMENT OF ASEAN UNIVERSITY NETWORK-DISABILITY AND PUBLIC POLICY (AUN-DPPnet) AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MALAYA, AND ITS FIRST DIRECTOR

(2016-current)

I, together with few other UM management staffs, initiated and materialised the transfer of Disability and Public Policy Centre from the American University in Washington D.C. USA to the University of Malaya in 2016; and established the 12th AUN thematic network known as ASEAN University Network-Disability and Public Policy (AUN-DPPnet) at the University of Malaya with the full financial support from the Nippon Foundation of Japan. The Network provides scholarships to students with disability (SWDs) from ASEAN countries to pursue their post-graduate studies in public policy or other fields.

 

As the first Director of AUN-DPPnet, I manage the Network’s programmes and funding. Financial support receives from the Nippon Foundation Japan of about RM2million/year now amounting to more than RM10million, has supported 52 scholars from ASEAN countries of which 27 have graduated. The fund also uses to support three-weeks Access Audit Training Workshops which so far benefitted another 71 PWDs from ASEAN Countries. AUN-DPPnet operates under UM Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International) and work very closely with the Office of ASEAN University Network in Bangkok, The Nippon Foundation in Tokyo and partner universities in ASEAN.

 

Accomplishment 10

TOP-DOWN PROJECT GRANT BY THE MINISTRY OF HIGHER EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH INCLUSIVE CAMPUS GUIDELINE AND ITS RATING SYSTEM - MyU-OKU (2019-2020)

Through AUN-DPPnet, I received a project grant of RM467,000 from the Ministry of Higher Education to establish details Guideline for Inclusive Campus for universities in Malaysia and to further develop Inclusive Campus Rating System known as MyU-OKU Rating. As Head of Project, I coordinated research workshop activities that bring together 5 Principal Investigators, 28 Co-Researchers and 92 staff and SWDs from public and private universities. This ten-months project is now completed with these three outcomes:

·       Inclusive Campus Guidelines covering four domains: Governance, Teaching & Learning, Support Services and Accessibility and Infrastructure

·       Rating System MyU-OKU with 346 criteria of assessment

·       Self-audited MyU-OKU rating for all 20 public universities (Universiti Awam)

The Ministry is now trying to find suitable date for the Minister to launch both the Guideline and the System soonest

 

Accomplishment 11

ESTABLISHMENT OF UM-CULTURAL AND HERITAGE RESEARCH CENTRE MELAKA (UM-CHRC@Melaka), (2020 – current)

With the support from the local trustee in Melaka, I managed to procure two-storey shophouse on Heeren Street Melaka for UM use for ten-years period (2020-2030) at nominal cost. This more than 300 years old Dutch style shophouse is located within the Core Zone of UNESCO World Heritage Site and is an ideal station for UM visibility to operate as UM-CHRC@Melaka satellite and to reach local community and international visitors and tourists through heritage and cultural programmes.

 

At this infant stage, minor restoration is completed, all related licences and approval received from the authorities, working committee consisting researchers from cross faculties is formed and the building is now ready for its operation.  The Committee is now working closely with potential industry partner to support its operation through their CSR allocation for the next three years. During the courtesy visit last 21 Sep 2020, Tuan Yang Terutama (TYT) Yang Di-Pertua Negeri Melaka applauds UM for this effort and  has agreed verbally to officiate the Centre once its ready and in full operational  in 2021.