The last COVID-19 has urged rapid and instant transition to digitalization in usual practices including in built environment sector [1] [2] , which has significantly impacting energy consumption patterns. Since then, there has been a growing demand for the implementation of digital platform in the built environment sector in order to minimize the transmission [3] , specifically from the perspectives of urban health strategies, risk assessment, transport, as well as building automation, control and management [4] . In fact, for building users, digitalization guarantees not only resource efficiency and service improvement but also significant energy savings through smarter systems and real-time monitoring. This makes energy-efficient digital solutions a highly relevant topic for discussion and a rewarding business area with growing demand in the built environment sector [5] .

Despite a few case studies that have been made abroad [6] - [8] , barriers to digitalization in built environment among public universities in Malaysia (IPTA) has not been well researched. An exploratory research methodology is hence to be utilized, comprising structured online survey conducted among the responsible personnel for their respective university’s sustainability mission. The respondents were selected in their capacity of currently being the Director of Facility, Development, Sustainability and/or Built Environment Center, or Energy Manager from different IPTA in Malaysia. The participating universities in this survey are:

1) Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)

2) Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)

3) Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM)

4) Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM)

5) Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)

6) Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UNIMAP)

7) Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM)

8) Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (IIUM)

9) Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK)

10) Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP)

11) Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM)

12) Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)

13) Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM)

A total of 13 universities responded to the survey out of 20 targeted institutions, representing approximately two-thirds of Malaysia’s public universities. While this constitutes a substantial proportion, it should be noted that Malaysia has 20 public universities in total. The responding institutions include both research-intensive universities (e.g., Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia) and more recently established universities (e.g., Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Universiti Malaysia Pahang). Thus, the sample covers a diversity of institutional types, geographic regions, and sizes, enhancing representativeness. Nonetheless, the non-response from some institutions introduces the possibility of response bias, as universities with more advanced sustainability and digitalization initiatives may have been more inclined to participate.

The aims of this study are to analyze the barriers to digitalization of the built environment from the perspective of public universities in Malaysia, while evaluating the progress level of these institutions in implementing digitalization within their campus infrastructure. For the first time to our knowledge, this research provides a nationwide assessment across multiple public universities, offering unique insights into both the challenges and advancements in campus digital transformation efforts.

This study has several limitations that should be acknowledged. First, the relatively small sample size (13 universities) limits the generalizability of the findings across all Malaysian public universities. Second, the reliance on self-reported survey data introduces potential biases related to respondents’ perceptions, selective reporting, or optimism. Finally, the cross-sectional design provides only a snapshot of the current state of digitalization and barriers, without capturing longitudinal changes or causal relationships. Future research could address these limitations by employing larger and more representative samples, integrating objective performance data, and adopting longitudinal or mixed-method designs.

From the demographic information obtained through the survey, large majority of respondents’ age are between 41 and 50 years old, as illustrated in Figure 1 . In terms of education level (see Figure 2 ), all respondents possess at least a Bachelor’s degree in various fields, with more than half holding a PhD. This high level of academic qualification enhances the credibility and reliability of the survey findings, as it indicates that the respondents are not only knowledgeable but also likely to have a deeper understanding of institutional structures, technological frameworks, and strategic planning. Their academic background lends weight to their insights, making the responses more informed, reflective, and suitable for drawing meaningful conclusions about digitalization and energy management in the built environment.

From the perspective of public universities in Malaysia, the most dominant barriers to digitalization in built environment is merely related to the monetary factor i.e., high cost of products and services, limited fund and lack of subsidies and incentives from the government. Financial support and incentives offered by either the government or financial institutions are crucially needed to overcome those barriers [17] . Their roles cannot be understated by creating both the incentives and the financial resources necessary to make upgrading built environment feasible.

Among the main business verticals, building automation and energy management are the ones undergoing the highest progression involving digitalization work in public universities. Any service provider may think of a steadfast strategy in boosting the digitalization in health and well-being aspects since they appear to be the lowest progression in public universities, despite being worsened due to the pandemic [18] .

Each university also possesses different progress in and oppositely, potential level towards deploying digitalization. The top 5 universities having the biggest potential are UTM, UTHM, USM, IIUM and USIM, which should be highly considered by any service provider in becoming their technology partner to expedite their digitalization mission.

The authors acknowledge all the respondents from each participating public universities for responding to the survey. This research is sponsored by Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) through the industrial attachment scheme for academic staff.