KOTA SAMARAHAN: Preserving and sustaining the heritage culture of Borneo in general and Sarawak, in particular, is important to maintain the identity of one’s ethnicity and for the next generation to know their roots.
Faculty of Language and Communication Dean Prof Dr Ambigapathy Pandian said through various discussions, suggestions and findings shared among fellow academicians and students, these could create awareness among people of the importance of heritage culture.
“Through the 4th International Conference on Media and Society (IC-MAS2022), Communicating Cultural Heritage: Inclusivity in Changing Landscapes, it is hoped that more work can be done in the field in sustaining the heritage and culture of the people in Borneo.
“This is to ensure the findings and the works that were done can be shared in a conference such as this as well as to targeted communities to preserve our heritage and culture,” said Ambigapathy.
He said this at the closing ceremony of IC-MAS2022 at Dewan Mutiara, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) today (Dec 21).
He also emphasised that cultural heritage could present the unity of Malaysians as well as respecting the difference of cultures, religions and also languages which had been the identity of Malaysians
In addition, Ambigapathy urged all quarters including government agencies, educational institutes and individuals to look at cultural heritage as a niche area which could give bigger returns in the country’s tourism sector
The IC-MAS2022 conference is an initiative and an effort in dignifying potential cultural heritage in contributing to the quality of life through understanding the past to move forward in the future.
At the same time, the conference stressed the importance of effective communication to ensure publication and broadcasting of cultural heritage could be shared through various channels for the people’s benefit.
“In the context of Sarawak in particular and Borneo in general, the richness of various ethnicities in the region is a heritage that needs to be protected and sustained.
“Through this conference, it is hoped that what has been shared and discussed together is able to change the landscape cultural heritage at the local level and also at the international level,” said the faculty Dean.
At the same time, the FLC has also launched a book entitled ‘Bidayuh Lens: Living as a Bidayuh in Today’s World’ edited by Prof Dr Ting Su Hie and Dr Florence Giliam Kayad.
The book consists of writings from FLC’s lecturers and former students including English lecturers from iCATS Miri, who were involved in studies of the Bidayuh cultural heritage and share their findings in one book.
Also present at the closing ceremony were IC-MAS 2022 chairman and FLC Deputy Dean (Industrial Relations and Community) Dr Dayang Aizza Maisha Abang Ahmad, UNIMAS Publisher Director Malia Taibi, Sarawak Museum Department Head of Enforcement Section Muhammad Adib Yusuf and New Sarawak Tribune Online Editor Nazmi Suhaimi.
