Shaping Future Planners: Insights From SULAM’s English Teaching for Aboriginal School Children in Kampung Putra

Authors

  • Mohamad Taufek Mohd Hanapiah Studies of Town and Regional Planning, School of Town Planning and Landscape Architecture, College of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA Selangor Branch, Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Raziah Ahmad Studies of Landscape Architecture, School of Town Planning and Landscape Architecture, College of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA Selangor Branch, Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor Malaysia
  • Muhammad Adam Che Yusof Studies of Landscape Architecture, School of Town Planning and Landscape Architecture, College of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA Selangor Branch, Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor Malaysia
  • Eugenie Anyau Centre of Foundation Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA Selangor Branch, Dengkil Campus, 43800 Dengkil, Selangor, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24191/bej.v22iSI.5463

Keywords:

SULAM, Planners , Aboriginal, School Children, Regional planning, Student

Abstract

Integrating Service-Learning (SULAM) into planning education, particularly in the TPR512 Regional Planning and Development course, bridges academic theory and real-world practice. Despite its recognised benefits in community development, its specific impact on regional planning education and marginalised communities remains underexplored. This study examines how SULAM enhances students' planning competencies through engagement with the Temuan community in Kampung Putra, Jelebu, Negeri Sembilan, through teaching English. The key objectives are: first, to assess how hands-on experience improves students' practical skills and regional planning knowledge, and second, to evaluate the project's role in fostering essential soft skills like communication, teamwork, and civic responsibility by incorporating English teaching activities. Using a qualitative case study approach, findings highlight key challenges, including communication barriers (42.9%) and cultural differences (35.7%), underscoring the need for cultural sensitivity. Despite this, 100% of students reported a deeper understanding of regional planning, particularly in rural contexts. The project also emphasised interactive learning methods, with 60.7% of participants favouring games and participatory approaches through group activities. Supported by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), the SULAM project underscores how real-world engagement can enhance academic learning. While limited by sample size and duration, it underscores the value of service-learning in equipping future planners with adaptability and stakeholder engagement skills. Future research should explore its long-term impacts for broader application.

Author Biographies

  • Mohamad Taufek Mohd Hanapiah, Studies of Town and Regional Planning, School of Town Planning and Landscape Architecture, College of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA Selangor Branch, Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

    Mohamad Taufek Mohd Hanapiah, PhD is a senior lecturer at the Universiti Teknologi Mara. He has conducted extensive research and contributed to the sustainable development of rural areas, particularly in Malaysia. His work focuses on rural economic empowerment, environmental sustainability, and inclusive regional planning strategies. He has also been actively involved in community development projects and has served as a consultant to various government agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). He frequently publishes articles in international journals on regional development policies and strategic approaches for uplifting marginalized areas. He firmly believes that holistic and inclusive rural development can bridge the gap between urban and rural regions. He can be reached at mtaufekmh@uitm.edu.my.

  • Raziah Ahmad, Studies of Landscape Architecture, School of Town Planning and Landscape Architecture, College of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA Selangor Branch, Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor Malaysia

    Raziah Ahmad, PhD, is a senior lecturer at UiTM Puncak Alam's College of Built Environment, specializing in cultural landscapes and heritage conservation. With a PhD from the University of Utrecht (2013) and over 20 years of experience, she excels in teaching, research, and supervision, focusing on cultural landscape, urban resilience, and heritage conservation. She has led initiatives as Head of the Centre for Landscape Architecture (2018–2021) and MyRA FSPU Coordinator (2014–2018). A prolific researcher, her work spans urban smellscapes, sustainable campuses, and Southeast Asian cultural heritage. Beyond academia, she actively contributes to international programs and interdisciplinary landscape studies. She can be reached at razia841@uitm.edu.my for inquiries or collaboration.

  • Muhammad Adam Che Yusof, Studies of Landscape Architecture, School of Town Planning and Landscape Architecture, College of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA Selangor Branch, Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor Malaysia

    Muhammad Adam Che Yusof, PhD, is a senior lecturer in the Department of Town and Regional Planning at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Puncak Alam Campus. He holds a Ph.D. in Building Conservation and has specialized expertise in heritage conservation and urban design. His academic and professional work is dedicated to preserving cultural heritage while integrating sustainable urban design principles. He is also deeply passionate about social impact assessment and actively engaged in social services. He welcomes inquiries and collaborations and can be reached via email at adam828@uitm.edu.my.

  • Eugenie Anyau, Centre of Foundation Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA Selangor Branch, Dengkil Campus, 43800 Dengkil, Selangor, Malaysia

    Eugenie Anyau is a lecturer at Universiti Teknologi MARA, where she teaches MUET to Foundation students. She has authored the textbook Excel in MUET under Ilmu Bakti. Passionate about teaching, she believes English is vital for students' future success as a global medium of communication. She has also taught in rural areas, volunteering in aboriginal villages to help children lacking proper education. Her academic interests include Sociolinguistics, Pragmatics, and Semantics, focusing on language use across social backgrounds. She frequently publishes articles in international journals on pedagogy and teaching reflections, believing that English plays a crucial role in achieving one's goals. She can be reached at eugenie@uitm.edu.my.

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Published

23-08-2025

Issue

Vol. 22 No. SI (2025): Built Environment Journal

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Articles

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Copyright (c) 2025 Mohamad Taufek Mohd Hanapiah, Raziah Ahmad, Muhammad Adam Che Yusof, Eugenie Anyau

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

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How to Cite

Shaping Future Planners: Insights From SULAM’s English Teaching for Aboriginal School Children in Kampung Putra. (2025). Built Environment Journal, 22(SI). https://doi.org/10.24191/bej.v22iSI.5463

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