Written by Dr Tariq Umar
Dr Tariq Umar, Senior Lecturer in Construction Project Management, has recently taken up two Visiting Professor appointments at:
- the Faculty of Built Environment, University of Malaya (Malaysia)
- the Institute of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Satbayev University (Kazakhstan).
These appointments reinforce UWE Bristol’s commitment to global collaboration in built environment, architecture, civil engineering and sustainable development – reflecting our strategic ambition to foster internationally impactful research and transnational education.
Why these institutions matter – and what Dr Umar brings
University of Malaya – Faculty of Built Environment
The Faculty of Built Environment (FBE) at University of Malaya is a well-established centre for architecture, construction, real estate and built environment education. Its undergraduate and postgraduate programmes — in Architecture, Building, Estate Management, Quantity Surveying and related fields — are accredited both locally and internationally (e.g. by RIBA and other professional bodies).
Moreover, its research centre, for building, construction and tropical architecture (BuCTA), aims to produce knowledge and capacity to address local/regional challenges in construction, sustainability, and built-environment development.
Dr Umar’s Visiting Professor role at FBE-UM builds upon an existing externally funded collaboration: the gender-equality project under the Southeast Asia–UK partnership. Through that project, UWE Bristol and University of Malaya (with other partners) have been working on building psychological resilience and institutional support systems for women leaders in higher education.
With this new appointment, Dr Umar is well-placed to:
- nurture long-term institutional collaboration, embedding gender equity and inclusive leadership in built environment academia;
- engage across architecture, built environment and engineering disciplines to explore how sustainable design and equitable professional practices intersect;
- support research, teaching and capacity building – particularly in areas of sustainable/tropical architecture, construction, and social equity;
- mentor postgraduate students and early-career researchers, and help view built environment challenges through a global, equity focused lens.
University of Malaya leadership – Professor Dr Yvonne Lim Ai Lian, Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International) at University of Malaya:
“Dr Tariq Umar’s appointment as Visiting Professor reflects our shared commitment to excellence in built-environment education and research. We look forward to working with him to advance sustainable, inclusive practices – and to benefit from his experience in international collaboration and interdisciplinary research and scholarship.”
Satbayev University — Institute of Architecture and Civil Engineering
The Institute of Architecture and Civil Engineering at Satbayev University is a leading institution in Kazakhstan for training architects, civil engineers, building-material scientists, and specialists in urban planning, BIM/construction management, transport infrastructure, and innovative building materials.
Over decades, the Institute has contributed significantly to architecture and engineering in the region, combining design, engineering, and practical construction expertise.
The UWE Bristol -Satbayev partnership initiated under a transnational education (TNE) project funded by the UK’s British Council – has explored joint teaching, research collaboration, curriculum development, and capacity building. The project aims to open pathways for shared programmes, joint research, and international exchange.
Through his Visiting Professor role, Dr Umar can contribute significantly by:
- helping to shape curriculum development around sustainable design, civil engineering and construction management;
- initiating joint research on urban sustainability, green construction, infrastructure resilience and climate-responsive architecture — helping Satbayev’s students and staff benefit from UWE’s global expertise;
- supervising postgraduate research and fostering academic mobility between UWE Bristol and Satbayev University;
- strengthening institutional capacity for international collaboration and transnational education in built environment disciplines.
Satbayev University leadership – Professor Bolat U Kuspangaliyev, Director, Institute of Architecture & Civil Engineering:
“We are pleased to welcome Dr Tariq Umar to our Institute as a visiting academic this semester. Through his teaching within the Architecture programme, he is bringing a valuable international perspective and contemporary insights into sustainable built-environment research. His contribution supports our ongoing work in curriculum development, research-led teaching, and international collaboration across civil engineering and architecture. We also appreciate his engagement with our doctoral students as an international mentor within the Department of Architecture”.
Message from UWE Bristol Leadership
Professor Elena Marco, Pro Vice-Chancellor & Head of College Arts, Technology and Environment at UWE Bristol, welcomed the appointments:
“We are proud that Dr Tariq Umar will represent UWE Bristol in these two globally significant institutions. His dual appointments not only expand our international footprint – they deepen our commitment to sustainability, equity and excellence in built-environment education and research worldwide.”
What this means for UWE Bristol – and the future of our partnerships
With Dr Umar’s Visiting Professor roles now active, UWE Bristol can look forward to:
- strengthened institutional relationships with two dynamic partner universities in different global regions – Southeast Asia and Central Asia;
- enhanced capacity for cross-cultural, interdisciplinary research and teaching in architecture, built environment, civil engineering, sustainability – bringing together design, technology, equity and environmental resilience;
- greater opportunities for staff and student exchange, joint supervision, collaborative grant proposals and transnational education programmes;
- broader dissemination of research and practice-based knowledge – contributing to global challenges of urban development, sustainable construction, infrastructure resilience and equitable leadership in academia and built environment sectors.
These appointments mark an important step in the development of ongoing and future collaborations.
If you have any questions or need further information, please contact Dr Tariq Umar (tariq.umar@uwe.ac.uk).