By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, May 31: Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus and Fudan University, China, have launched the Asian Cultural Heritage Youth Forum 2024, a dynamic event scheduled to take place from Oct 1 to 5 in Kuching.
The launch event took place today at Swinburne Sarawak here, and it was officiated by Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, the Deputy Premier of Sarawak and the Minister for Public Health, Housing, and Local Government (MPHLG) Sarawak.
According to a press handout, the Asian Cultural Heritage Youth Forum 2024 aims to provide a platform for young people from all over Asia to share best practices in cultural heritage protection and utilisation, promote sustainable cultural heritage development, and strengthen cultural exchanges.
“The forum will welcome more than 100 university students from 20 countries, who will present case studies on the application of local and traditional knowledge in the conservation and utilisation of cultural heritage in their everyday environments.
“Participants will also have the opportunity to learn from expert conservators and engage with local communities through cultural immersions and nature excursions,” the press handout stated.
Meanwhile, during a press conference held following the event’s launch, Dr Sim emphasised that the forum’s organisation provided an excellent platform for showcasing the distinctiveness of Sarawak’s culture, as well as facilitating the exchange of knowledge about the cultures of the participating countries.
“We are extremely grateful that Sarawak was chosen as the venue for this forum. Cultural heritage is more than just a national treasure; it is the soul of a nation.
“This is where the youth play an important role because they are the future of the country,” he said.
The minister further emphasised that Sarawak’s collaboration with foreign countries across different sectors plays a crucial role in the nation’s development.
“I would like to remind all the people of Sarawak, we are no longer considered ‘cheap and good’ but we hold a very good quality that happens to be ‘cheap’,” he added.
In conjunction with the launch, both universities signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to mark their commitment to fostering academic and research excellence through this partnership.
Signing the MoU on behalf of Swinburne Sarawak was Ir Professor Lau Hieng Ho, pro vice-chancellor and chief executive officer (CEO) of Swinburne Sarawak, while Fudan University was represented by Professor Huang Yang, Dean of Department of History of Fudan University.
The event was attended by various dignitaries and officials, including Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, Performing Arts (MTCP) Sarawak, Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew; Deputy Sarawak State Secretary (Operation) Datu Hii Chang Kee; Deputy Chinese Consul-General in Kuching, Song Chang Hong; Honorary Consul for the Australian Consulate in Kuching Datuk Philip Ting; Datuk Amar Jaul Samion, chairman of Swinburne Sarawak Board of Directors; and Federation of Chinese Associations of Sarawak president Dato Richard Wee. — DayakDaily
