KOTA SAMARAHAN: The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Sarawak Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) and the Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) will increase collaboration of opportunities, especially in the field of languages.
UNIMAS vice-chancellor, Datuk Mohamad Kadim Suaidi said the matter was further strengthened with the renewal for the signing of the new MoU between the two parties.
“Thus, UNIMAS through the Faculty of Education, Language and Communication is expected to further strengthen research, publication, training, academic programmes and executive development programmes especially in the field of language, linguistics and communication,” he said.
He said this when speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Borneo Lexicology and Lexicography International Conference (PALBORNEO 2023) and the launching of the Melayu Sarawak – Melayu Dewan dictionary at Dewan Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra (DeTAR), UNIMAS here, on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, director-general of Sarawak DBP, Hazami Jahari informed that the collaboration between DBP and UNIMAS can be enhanced to dignify language, literature, publishing and industrial training.
“I would also like to express my gratitude to UNIMAS for being willing to establish this collaboration to intensify research in the field of languages,” he said in his text of speech read by the DBP deputy director general (Policy) Md Johari Hasan.
On PALBORNEO 2023, Kadim said the conference was held in conjunction with the 60th anniversary of Sarawak and Sabah in Malaysia.
“This conference is also a collaboration of synergistic partners of the Dictionary Division (DBP KL), DBP Sarawak Branch, DBP Sabah Branch and the Faculty of Education, Language and Communication of UNIMAS,” he said.
In addition, he said that the conference themed “Preservation of Borneo’s Native Language” will involve the presentation of research findings from researchers and scholars with the hope of strengthening the development of the language, as well as the development of knowledge through planning and the formation of strategic partnerships including regional ones.
