BINTULU: The Sarakup Indu Dayak Sarawak (SIDS), Kemena and Bintulu branches paid a courtesy call on Prof Jayum Jawan, the Faculty of Humanity, Management and Science dean, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Bintulu campus today (July 30).
The visit, led by Kemena SIDS chairperson Jenny Bangga, among other things, was to listen to Prof Jayum’s briefing on the Tan Sri Empiang Jabu Chair in Dayak Women Studies, which had been set up at the Bintulu campus.
The Chair was set up to honour Empiang, wife of former deputy chief minister Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang, who was the ninth chairperson of SIDS and had helmed SIDS for 33 years until the last triennial general assembly in July 2018.
SIDS is the largest Dayak women association in the state.
In his briefing, Prof Jayum said the Chair aimed to empower Dayak women in particular and Sarawak women in general in various fields through various action-based academic activities.
The activities included conducting research on the history and origin of SIDS, strengths and weaknesses of Dayak women with a view to chart future plans and to organise relevant courses and training for SIDS members.
He hoped that through the collaboration, UPM and SIDS could work together towards charting greater development and progress for SIDS and Dayak women in general.
Jenny said the briefing had been meaningful and hoped SIDS members could upgrade their skills in their respective fields.
The Chair was not only meant for research purposes but also to conduct courses and seminars relevant to enhance leadership, administration and management skills of Dayak women, she added.
