Cultivating Student Wellbeing Through Sustainable Building and Facilities Management: Evidence-Driven Insights for the GenAI-Enabled Built Environment Nurul

Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Malaysia elma8207@uitm.edu.my Universities are increasingly expected to provide a learning environment that not only supports academic excellence but also enhances student wellbeing in a holistic and sustainable manner. As higher education institutions navigate the GenAI era characterised by data-driven decision making and evolving epistemologies within the built environment, the role of building and facilities management (BFM) becomes even more critical. This study investigates how comprehensive BFM practices contribute to students’ safety, comfort, and overall wellbeing within the Engineering Building at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam. The research evaluates current practices, identifies gaps, and proposes sustainable, student-centred improvements that can guide future facilities planning. A total of 375 engineering students participated in a structured questionnaire survey, providing reliable insights into their daily experiences and perceptions. The percentage values reported in the findings represent the gaps between the current BFM practices and their perceived importance, where smaller gaps indicate greater student satisfaction with the respective facilities. The library (3.2%), computer laboratories (3.3%), and technical laboratories (4.8%) demonstrated the smallest performance gaps, indicating that students were generally satisfied with these spaces. Conversely, parking facilities showed the largest gap (10%), signaling notable dissatisfaction and the need for targeted improvement. Key environmental dimensions influencing student wellbeing were identified, including accessibility, facility quality, health and safety, and the availability of flexible spaces for diverse academic and social activities. While some sustainable initiatives such as basic energy-saving practices have already been implemented, the study reveals a persistent gap in student awareness and participation. To address this, the study proposes several practical recommendations, including the adoption of energy-efficient systems, enhanced waste-management strategies, and stronger communication efforts to increase visibility and engagement. Overall,