Solar Home Utm's Design Concepts for Solar Decathlon 2013 China

Solar Home Utm's Design Concepts:

Looking into the issue of discontented working lifestyle especially for the young generation and young couple, the need to improve the livelihood, working lifestyle and environmentally sustainable become vi

tal as it is to respond to the current and future lifestyle which is to provide healthier and less stressful environment. The concept of 'Home-Suite Home’, is chosen as the architect has derived the concept of a multifunctional home which designed to be energy efficient, sustainable and flexible arrangement as a work-place and a home at the same time. This residence is not only used as a place for ambient living but also functionally convenient, conducive and a comfortable work place.

Solar Decathlon China Summit & Design Development Workshop in Datong China 24-30th Oct 2012

Solar Decathlon China Summit in Datong China 24-30th Oct 2012. Attended by representatives all over the world includining representative from Malaysia - Solar Home Utm team headed by Prof Dr Mohd Zaimi. Four Lecturers from UTM attended the Summit are Prof Dr Mohd Zaimi, Associate Prof Dr Mohd Zin Kandar, Associate Prof Dr Pakaruddin and Dr Norhashimah. Seven post graduate students and research officers from UTM are also among the participant representing UTM.

The focus for the Summit is to discuss current initiatives and innovative strategies to speed-up the implementation of renewable energy and energy efficiency in countries' development program and project.

SDC 2013 focused in implementing balance energy supply and demand. Each participant is required to ensure their design implementing solar power technologies. Solar Home Utm team design house to comply with the theme which is environmentally sustainable and exploit available energy resources from the sun to produce electricity and heating requirement for the house.

Sustainable Development in China

China yang sangat pesat membangun perlukan tenagan alternatif (tenaga diperbaharui - Renewable Energy = RE) untuk memastikan kelangsungan generasi hadapan menikmati kehidupan. Kini penduduk China berjumlah 1.300,000,000 (1.3 bilion) bergantung kepada tenaga fosil di dalam penjanaan tenaga elektrik. SD China 2013 adalah salah satu inisiatif untuk memberi kesedaran kepada pelajar-pekajar universiti dan masyarakat umum. Beberapa inisiatif sedang digerakkan di China dan mereka mensasarkan pengurangan Emissi Karbon pada setiap unit GDP negara dengan sasaran pengurangan 17% emissi Karon pada 2015. Sepanjang perjalanan team Solar Home Utm ke Datong dari Beijing dan ke Tembuk Besar China untuk singgah melawat sekembali ke Beijing kami saksikan ladang tenaga angin yang bertujuan menghasilkan tenaga elektrik melalhu kaedah RE. Banyak syarikat dari Jerman, USA dan Eropah datang mencari peluang menjayakan projek tenaga solar dan membuka kilang di China.

Initial Meeting for Acadamic Cooperation & Collaboration at Architecture Department IUG, Gaza.

Two academicians from two countries, Malaysia and Palestine but both have common research area and interest have met on the 25^th May 2012 in the Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, Islamic University Gaza (IUG). Associate Prof. Dr Mohd Zin from Department of Architecture UTM is also in the Aqsa2Gaza4 humanitarian mission together with other 100 volunteers from 18 countries known as “Shaddul Reehal Ila al-Quds” Convoy. 

Dr Mohd Zin realise the existance of the Department of Architecture in IUG through the chairman of Islamic Sociaty of Jabalis (IUG), Eng Abdul Rahem Shehab, whom he has two years cooperation on Aqsa Syarif humanitarian mission. Aqsa Syarif Malaysia is an organisation whom, Dr Mohd Zin is one of the Board of Trustee (BoT). More than RM3million has be raised from the Malaysian Public and has been donated to several humanitarian projects in Gaza. 

 

To this date, 30 projects involving foods, health, education and sosio-economic with about 10 local counter-part in Gaza has been started and in progress. A few has been successfully implemented and benefited thousands of Palestinians who are in need in Gaza particularly after the Israeli attack in 2008. 

Eng Abdul Rahem Shehab is an Architecture graduate from IUG,  who introduces Dr Mohd Zin with Associate Professor Dr Farid Sobeh Al-Qeeq, the Dean for Planning and Development at IUG and then Dr Farid introduces Dr Mohd Zin to Assistance Professor Dr Ahmed S. Muhaisen from the Architecture Department in IUG, who has the common area of interest in Sustainable Architecture and Climatic Responsive Building Design.

During one hour meeting in Dr Muhaisen office, several agenda was discussed including;

a. Exchange information on Architectural Programme offereed at both universities.

b. Teaching methodologies and supporting facilities.

c. Postgraduate programme offered by both faculties and possibilities for more students from Gaza to study in Malaysia, especially in UTM.

d. Scholarship opportunities in Malaysia, especially in UTM for Palestinian students.

e. Research interest and possibility of research collaboration and cooperation including possibilities for joint supervision for Post Graduate students.

f. Possible for exchange students and academic staff program.

g. Possiblities for UTM Global Outreach Programme (GOP) to Palestine.

h. Other related matters. 

Dr Muhaisen took Dr Mohd Zin around the Department to see some student’s studio works and studio facilities. Dr Mohd Zin was also shown the new reconstruction of lab building which was totally destroyed by Israeli bombs during 2008 attack on Gaza. The project is funded by the Gulf Cooperation.

The meeting was extremely valuable and fruitfull. May there will be follow-up steps to tightened the relationship, cooperation and collaboration to benefit both parties, both universities and ummah as a whole.