KOTA SAMARAHAN: The International Conference on Media and Society (iC-MAS 2022) is an ideal platform to exchange knowledge and expertise on cultural heritage researches.
Professionals sharing their expertise and current research with the participants at the iC-MAS 2022 is crucial to enrich social capital and promote cultural diversity, said Professor Dr Wan Hashim Wan Ibrahim.
Dr Wan Hashim, who is also the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) at University Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), said efforts to protect cultural heritage are important for every community around the world because it can promote access to enlighten cultural diversity.
“The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has also recognised that cultural heritage can enrich social capital and foster a sense of individual and collective belonging, which helps in the maintenance of social and territorial cohesion.
“Therefore, it is crucial that the process of transferring cultural heritage should be a constant endeavour by key stakeholders using various channels and platforms to distribute knowledge,” he said at the conference held at the Dewan Mutiara, DeTAR Putra, here today (Dec 20).
Themed ‘Communicating Cultural Heritage: Inclusion in Changing Landscapes’, the conference participants discussed research topics with experts within the fraternity, distributing and sharing knowledge on the subject matter.
The conference’s primary objective is to discuss the changing landscape of cultural heritage at the local and international levels, to provide a platform for debate on various current issues related to cultural heritage, to promote the sharing of scientific research findings among media and communication scholars at the local and international levels, and to increase networking among media and communication scholars, practitioners, and industry players.
Meanwhile, Dr Dayang Aizza Abang Ahmad, chairman of the conference, said it was the first hybrid conference organised by the Faculty of Languages and Communication in UNIMAS since the COVID-19 epidemic.
There were three prolific figures who delivered lectures at the conference, namely the Advisor of the Malaysia-Indonesia Archipelago Research Centre for Migration, Islamic Community and Peace Studies Associate Professor Dr Reevany Bustami; Unimas Applied and Creative Arts Faculty lecturer and industry practitioner Professor Dr Qistina Donna Lee Abdullah and chairman of the Brooke Trust Board of Trustees and Sarawak Association president Jason Brooke.
“These speakers emphasise cultural and heritage challenges in the region, particularly in regards to a sustainable future,” said Dr Dayang, citing the different backgrounds and areas of expertise of the lecturers.
In a similar note, Dr Wan Hasim said the speakers will be able to provide audience with a greater perspective and insights into the value of transmitting cultural legacy.
“iC-MAS2022 further emphasises the role of communication in developing awareness of collective responsibility in the protection and conservation of cultural resources.
“As a result, I am convinced that this two-day conference will assist both presenters and participants in their attempts to discover new information, form new collaborations, and establish strategic relationships for future collaboration,” he added.
Among those present were FBK Dean Professor Dr. Ambigapathy Pandian and senior director of Innovation and Enterprise Research Centre Prof Dr Lo May Chiun.
