Malang, July 4, 2025 – The spirit of literacy and academic collaboration resonated in the Auditorium of the Graduate School Building of Merdeka University Malang during the 2025 IPLBI Book Camp. This two-day event was part of a series of celebrations for UNMER Malang’s 61st anniversary and an important milestone in strengthening the culture of writing in the fields of architecture and the built environment in Indonesia.
The UNMER Malang Architecture Study Program collaborated with the Indonesian Built Environment Researchers Association (IPLBI) to provide a learning and collaboration space for lecturers, researchers, and practitioners from various universities and national institutions.
Collaboration Begins: Signing of MoU and IA
The Book Camp officially opened with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Implementation Arrangement (IA) between UNMER Malang and IPLBI, marking both parties’ commitment to building a productive and sustainable academic ecosystem, particularly in the field of scientific publications.
Dr Ir Susilo Kusdiwanggo, ST, MT, CIQaR, as Chair of IPLBI, expressed his appreciation to UNMER Malang for hosting the event. “This book camp is not just training but a starting point for synergy to produce impactful works. We hope this collaboration will continue in various forms,” he said in his opening remarks.
From UNMER Malang, Prof. Pindo Tutuko, ST, MT, Ph.D., PGDip, as Vice Rector IV, emphasised that this collaboration not only benefits the Architecture Study Programme but also opens the door to cross-disciplinary collaboration. “We are confident that IPLBI is the right partner in encouraging the spirit of academic publication, not only at UNMER but also nationally,” he said.
Architectural Literacy Workshop Series
The 2025 IPLBI Book Camp featured five main sessions, packaged as interactive workshops and reflective discussions. The material presented by these experienced speakers opened up new perspectives on writing reference books that were not only informative but also inspiring.
Prof. Ir. Respati Wikantiyoso, MSA, Ph.D., opened the session with the topic “Writing Reference Books”, emphasising the importance of consistency and accuracy in structuring scientific writing.
Dian Nafiatul Awaliyah, ST, MPP, presented two sessions: “From .pptx to Book” and “Captivating Readers in an Instant”, sharing practical tips for transforming teaching materials into communicative written works.
Ir. Priyo Pratikno, MT, discussed “Editing Without Losing the Essence” and “The Art of Captivating Books”, using a creative approach and visual storytelling in book design.
In the evening, the Book Camp atmosphere transformed into a platform for ideas: participants presented the book concepts they were developing. These presentations opened up a space for feedback among authors, making Book Camp not just a writing forum but also a platform for the growth of an architectural literacy community.
Day Two: Exploring the City’s Creativity
Unlike usual, the second day of Book Camp was designed with the concept of a “Malang City Safari”. Participants were invited to meet the local arts and culture community, exploring visual narratives and urban spaces as sources of inspiration. Cross-disciplinary creative collaboration was the main focus, bringing together architects with artists, sociologists, and community activists.
UNMER Malang as a Home for Architectural Literacy
Through this Book Camp, UNMER Malang not only played the role of host but also demonstrated its identity as a growing space for young intellectuals and researchers of the built environment. This spirit aligns with the vision of the Architecture Study Programme to continuously foster an open, collaborative, and impactful academic ecosystem.
The IPLBI 2025 Book Camp has opened a new path: that architecture is not only built on site and space but also through words and thoughts. And UNMER Malang is ready to be part of that journey.