By, Wan Mohd Azlan Hafiz
In the timeline of an institution, three decades marks a generation. For the Kulliyyah of Architecture and Environmental Design (KAED) at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), the period from 1996 to 2026 represents a journey from a bold experiment in “Islamisation of Human Knowledge” to a mature, leading faculty in the built environment.
As KAED celebrates its 30th Anniversary, the story is best told through the legacy of leadership that has guided it from its foundation to its current height.
The Foundation: A Visionary Start
The Kulliyyah was officially established on 1 June 1996. At that time, the challenge was unique: how to teach architecture and environmental design not just as technical vocations, but as spiritual obligations.
This formidable task fell to the founding Dean, Prof. Emeritus LAr. Dr. Ismawi Zen.
Prof. Ismawi’s tenure was defined by the hard work of laying the groundwork. He did not just oversee the administrative setup; he instilled the philosophical soul of the Kulliyyah. Under his guidance, the curriculum was crafted to ensure that every line drawn by an architect and every plan made by a planner was rooted in Tawhid. His vision was to produce professionals who understood that designing for the environment was an act of stewardship (Khalifah).
A Continuum of Leadership
Over the decades, the baton was passed to a succession of capable Deans, each contributing to the Kulliyyah’s expansion. The faculty grew from a small cohort at the Matriculation Centre in Petaling Jaya to a bustling complex in Gombak, now housing five distinct departments: Architecture, Applied Arts & Design, Landscape Architecture, Quantity Surveying and Urban & Regional Planning.
The Present: Stepping into the Future
Today, the legacy continues under the dynamic leadership of the current Dean, Prof. TPr. Dr. Mariana Mohamed Osman.
Standing on the shoulders of her predecessors, Prof. Mariana is steering KAED into a new era of modernization. Her tenure has been marked by a drive to make the Kulliyyah resilient and relevant in a rapidly changing world. From strengthening industry collaborations to championing sustainable built environment, Prof. Mariana ensures that KAED remains competitive while holding fast to the values planted by Prof. Ismawi thirty years ago.
Under her stewardship, the Kulliyyah is not just looking back at history but is actively engaging with contemporary issues, be it climate change, heritage conservation, or the integration of technology in design.
Thirty Years of Impact
As the kulliyyah community celebrates this Pearl Anniversary, the impact of 1996 is visible everywhere. It is seen in the thousands of alumni who are now captains of the construction industry, urban planners shaping our cities, and designers preserving our heritage.
From the foundational years of Prof. Emeritus LAr. Dr. Ismawi Zen to the forward-looking era of Prof. TPr. Dr. Mariana Mohamed Osman, KAED has proven that it is possible to harmonize professional excellence with ethical values. As 2026 approaches, the Kulliyyah stands ready to design the future, building on thirty years of solid ground.***
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