KUCHING: Eleven prominent speakers will be sharing contemporary and best practice ideas and experiences in cultural and heritage conservation at the International Heritage and Cultural Conservation Conference (InHerit 2018).
The presenters come from many different countries including Africa, Europe, Australia and the Asian region.
The three-day conference with the theme “Sharing the Benefits of our Inheritance towards Sustainability” is organised by University College of Technology Sarawak (UCTS).
It began at Waterfront Hotel here yesterday and was launched by Tourism, Art, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah on behalf of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
In his speech read by Karim, Johari said Sarawak’s unique cultures and arts should be preserved at all times and digitalisation could be used to preserve, showcase and promote the heritage sites.
Besides promoting the new Waterfront in Kuching to tourists, he suggested they should be shown the lifestyles of the people in nearby villages as well.
“Other value-added products from Sarawak are the traditional handicrafts of the Malays such as Keringkam. It can be promoted like the Pua Kumbu,” he said.
Johari added although Sarawak was a land of diverse ethnic compositions, the state government had ensured that the differences did not stand in the way of social and political stability.
“We have many small communities of at least 27 different indigenous ethnic groups, spread throughout Sarawak along the coast and rivers towards the interior,
“We learn to survive by adapting to our natural environment which eventually defines each of our unique cultures. We learn to live together in peace and harmony as we cooperate and work together,
“I hope that all participants and presenters will learn, network and have a fruitful conference,” said Johari.
During the ceremony, Masjid Al Qadim Book, a book on the history and conservation of Masjid Al Qadim, was also launched.
UCTS and MAEK Consulting Pte Ltd also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the setting up of a UCTS research centre which would focus on Borneo regionalism, building conservation and forensic technology.
Also present were the vice chancellor of UTCS Professor Datuk Dr Khairuddin Ab Hamid and MAEK Consulting Pte Ltd director Wong Chung Wan.
