Research
The Faculty of Civil Engineering and Built Environment (FKAAB) places strong emphasis on research and research-led teaching as one of the key roles of our academic staff. The faculty, through its Research, Development and Publications division, encourages and supports efforts by both staff and students in undertaking research and consultation works, disseminating the outcomes through publications, and transforming ideas into products.
To create a research-driven environment, the faculty has established a center of excellence and four centers of research. These centers play a pivotal role in cultivating a thriving research culture among staff and students by providing resources for research, such as expertise and facilities, and creating opportunities for students to further their studies in postgraduate research programmes that are offered by the faculty.
Center of Excellence
Research Center for Soft Soils (RECESS)
RECESS was established in 2004 based on United Kingdom's Soft Soil Test Site in Bothkennar, Scotland. Seeing that the UTHM campus is constructed on soft soil, and the campus expansion and future development plans had aroused concern by virtue of being on soft foundation soil, RECESS was set up in order to conduct field trials and become a national center for soft soil research in Malaysia. RECESS aspires to embark on new applied technology and full-scale testing, and be a meeting place for industrialists and researchers to share information in dealing with hazards arising from construction on soft soil.
Contact Person
Ts. Dr. Nor Azizi Yusoff
Phone: +607-4537412
E-mail: azizy@uthm.edu.my
Website: recess.uthm.edu.my
Centers of Research
Jamilus Research Center (JRC)
JRC was officially launched in 2012 by its namesake, Tan Sri (Dr) Ir Jamilus Md Hussin, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia. The center focuses on sustainable construction, which covers material, integrated design and construction management. The concept of sustainability embraces the preservation of the environment as well as development-related issues such as the efficient usage of resources. The construction industry has the capacity to make a major contribution towards a more sustainable future for the world. Sustainable construction seeks to minimise the use of natural resources and ensure that the built environment is resilient against the impact of climate change. It also protects and enhances biodiversity and provides green infrastructure that are pleasant and healthy for users while ensuring the sustainability of resources.
Contact Person
Ir. Dr. Sallehuddin Shah Ayop
Phone: +607-4564388
E-mail: sallehs@uthm.edu.my
Website: jrc.uthm.edu.my
Facebook: JRC.FKAAS.UTHM
Smart Driving Research Center (SDRC)
Established in 2013, SDRC is the first-of-its-kind research center in Malaysia that aims to pioneer research and development of support systems for Smart Driving, thus becoming the nation’s main referral center for the implementation of Smart Driving. Smart Driving is the art and practice of driving that encourage safe, efficient and economical travel. Potential benefits of Smart Driving include reducing fuel consumption, protecting the environment by lowering gas and noise emissions, enhancing road safety for all users, promoting cost-effective, safe and comfortable travel, and prolonging the life of the vehicle and its parts.
Contact Person
Dr. Mohammad Nasir Mohamad Taher
Phone: +607-4564311
E-mail: nasirt@uthm.edu.my
Website: sdrc.uthm.edu.my
Facebook: sdrc.uthm
Micropollutant Research Center (MPRC)
MPRC was established in 2013 with the aim of presenting new concepts within water resources and environment conservation. The center focuses on broad ranges of research on Integrated Water Resources Engineering, Wastewater Treatment, Waste Recovery and Geo-Environmental Engineering. MPRC aspires to promote micropollutant research in water resources and environmental engineering, provide expertise and development support for new environmental solutions especially for rural communities, and make MPRC a center of excellence in research and consultancy on micropollutants in water resources and environmental fields.
Contact Person
Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Radin Maya Saphira Radin Mohamed
Phone: +607-4564371
E-mail: maya@uthm.edu.my
Website: mprc.uthm.edu.my
Facebook: mprcfkaas
Center of Applied Geomatics and Disaster Prevention (CAGeD)
CAGeD is the newest research center in FKAAB, having been established late last year. The center aims to spearhead the application of latest technological advancements in geomatics for the prevention and management of natural disasters.
Contact Person
Assoc. Prof. Sr. Ts. Dr. Mustaffa Anjang Ahmad
Phone: +607-4564410
E-mail: mustafa@uthm.edu.my
In-House Publication
Recent Trends in Civil Engineering and Built Environment (RTCEBE)

RTCEBE is a peer-reviewed Open Access Journal that aims to disseminate knowledge within the Civil Engineering and Built Environment community. RTCEBE publishes articles resulting from conferences, seminars, workshops and other similar events. Authors are invited to submit original research papers, review papers and case studies related to Civil Engineering and Built Environment.
About RTCEBE Make A SubmissionAwards
Spinoff Company

Swidweb Solutions (JR0065155X) is a university spin-off company that was established by Assoc. Prof. Dr Noor Yasmin Zainun, the creative mind behind the award-winning Solid Waste Illegal Dumping Web (SWID Web). SWID Web is a web-based waste management system that incorporates mobile application (SWID Apps) for reporting cases, triggering alerts and responding to incidents of illegal solid waste dumping using smartphones.
The company currently designs and markets SWID Web and SWID Apps. These two products provide dynamic features of managing illegal dumping compared to the conventional approach practiced by the majority of local authorities in the country, which is excessively resource-driven. Benefits of these products include easy and quick reporting and response, and customisable auto-generation of reports.
The company also offers other services such as civil and environmental engineering consultation, self-development courses, software training, and event management.
Contact Person
Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Noor Yasmin Zainun
Phone: +607-4564465
E-mail: nryasmin@uthm.edu.my
Website: swidwebsolutions.uthm.edu.my