KUCHING: The Sarawak Museum Department (SMD) on Thursday (Nov 11) inked Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with three parties respectively to support the continuous development of research and conservation efforts.
The three parties were Heritage Conservation Centre (HCC) Singapore, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) and Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Sarawak.
The signing of the MoUs was witnessed by Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah at a ceremony held at Pullman Hotel here.
The first MoU inked was between SMD and HCC Singapore, which was done virtually. SMD was represented by its director Tazudin Mohtar while HCC Singapore was represented by its director Ong Chiew Yen.
Next was the MoU between SMC and Unimas, which was signed by Tazudin and Unimas deputy vice-chancellor (Research and Innovation) Prof Dr Wan Hashim Wan Ibrahim.
As for the MoU signed between SMD and UiTM Sarawak, SMD was again represented by Tazudin while UiTM Sarawak was represented by its deputy rector (Academic and International Affairs) Prof Dr Firdaus Abdullah.
SMD is an agency responsible for collecting, conserving, preserving, and exhibiting Sarawak’s historical and cultural heritage as a source of information and education.
It was created with the aim of uniting the multi-ethnic society in Sarawak to live in harmony in facing the challenges of the future. This is in line with SMD’s vision: ‘A Globally Engaged Centre of History and Heritage by 2030’.
Following the MoU signing ceremony which took place in the morning, there was a Wacana Muzium (Museum Discourse) 2021 programme held virtually in the afternoon.
The discourse programme was held with the aim of sharing the latest information on studies conducted by SMD, Unimas, UiTM Sarawak, and HCC Singapore.
It is hoped that through the programme, all the knowledge and discussion outcomes will open up more room for collaborations in the field of research between SMD and Unimas, UiTM Sarawak, and HCC Singapore in the future.