By Nur Ashikin Louis and Ashley Sim
KUCHING, Feb 13: Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan hopes that Sarawak Design Centre (Saradec) would be able to achieve its target of producing 100 furniture designers by 2030.
He noted that Saradec, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC), was established in 2021 in line with the establishment of Kursi Pusaka at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) in 2016.
Kursi Pusaka aims to carry out research and development of high value-added timber products, particularly furniture, and select young Unimas graduates to train as professional designers and researchers in the same field.
Following this, Kursi Pusaka becomes the feeder for the Young Designers’ Programme, now known as SayD’SignersSarawak – a two-year training programme developed by STIDC in collaboration with Unimas and Fakultas Seni Rupa dan Desain (FSRD) of Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) Indonesia since 2018.
The programme was implemented by Saradec Management Sdn Bhd effective January 2022.
“The programme (SayD’SignersSarawak) has produced hundreds of creative designs by the young designers, along with many prototypes. Today, at this event (Sarawak Design Week), these prototypes are being displayed for the audience and visitors to see for themselves.
“I hope that the young designers will take this great opportunity to expand their networking and discuss with the renowned and established designers who are present and were invited by Saradec to speak and share their experiences.
“I am indeed pleased with the achievement of this programme and hope that it will be able to produce the targeted number of 100 furniture designers by 2030,” he said during the opening ceremony fo Sarawak Design Week held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today.
Sarawak Design Week is the first event organised by Saradec in collaboration with Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment Sarawak (MINTRED), ITB and other strategic partners such as Sarawak Timber Association (STA), Sarawak Furniture Industry Association (SFIA), STIDC, Unimas, University of Technology Sarawak (UTS), Kolej Komuniti Miri, Centex Commercial, and Tun Jugah Foundation.
Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg was present to officiate at the event today.
Amongst those present were STIDC general manager Datu Hashim Bojet, Saradec chairman Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais and Saradec chief executive officer Dayang Nena Abang Bruce. – DayakDaily
