By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, Dec 3: The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between University College of Technology Sarawak (UCTS) with MAEK Consulting Pte Ltd Singapore today will not only enhance the university’s research niche in Borneo regionalism, building conservation and forensic technology but will also put them at the forefront of promoting the integration of science and technology with the arts.
Its vice-chancellor, Professor Datuk Dr Khairuddin Abdul Hamid, said UCTS would do this through promoting and utilising digital and scientific technology and the conservation and preservation of tangible cultures such as heritage building, monuments, artefacts, historical sites and intangible cultures.
“Although UCTS is just five-years-old, it has embarked on research consultancies through networking with MAEK Consulting and various major industry players,” he said.
Khairuddin said this before the launching of the three-day International Heritage and Cultural Conservation Conference (InHERIT 2018) by Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who represented Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, here today.
The inaugural conference was organised by UCTS, and it is themed ‘Sharing the benefit of our inheritance towards sustainability’.
On the conference, Khairuddin said its objectives were to provide an avenue for academic discourse, sharing of experiences, promoting best practices and enhancing networking in cultural heritage conservation.
He said the conference formed part of an initiative to elevate UCTS’ visibility and reputation in research and publication through research, development and innovation and also enhancing external linkages and internationalisation.
He said he was grateful to the 11 prominent keynote speakers for coming forward to share contemporary and best practices and experiences in cultural heritage conservation.
“We are also delighted to have presenters from different parts of the world, from as far as Africa, Europe, Australia and the Asian region in five broad trans-disciplinary tracks for parallel sessions.
“These include History and Fine Arts, Science and Technology, Built Environment, Economic Development, Tourism and Education, and Culture and Arts,” he said.
Khairuddin also said UCTS was proud to be involved in the restoration of Masjid Al Qadim, the only gazetted mosque in Sarawak that is estimated to be 157 years old, in collaboration with Lembaga Amanah Kebajikan Islam Sibu (Lakis).
Also present at the press conference were Deputy State Secretary Datu Dr Sabariah Putit, Maek Consulting Pte Ltd director Wong Chung Wan and conference organising chairman Associate Professor Haris Fadillah Abdul Rahman. — DayakDaily
