Academic knowledge from cultural research should benefit local communities

KOTA SAMARAHAN: Academic research on Sarawak’s traditional crafts and ethnic languages should be returned to local communities through teaching materials, workshops and mentorship programmes.

Wife of the Sarawak Head of State, Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi, said cultural research should go beyond academic publication and translate into practical initiatives that benefit communities.

“Research should not end with publication. Where possible, the knowledge should return to the community.

“It can be shared through teaching materials, community workshops, mentorship programmes, and other practical initiatives,” she said when officiating at the 8th International Conference of Applied and Creative Arts (ICACA) 2026 at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) here today.

Fauziah highlighted the role of universities such as UNIMAS in cultural research, documentation and community engagement.

She cited research on the Kejaman language, which helps shed light on changes in language use and fluency across generations.

Other initiatives include ‘Siri Sarawakiana’, the ‘Menghilir Rajang’ documentary and documentation of traditional crafts such as ‘Anyaman Bergerang’, which she said helped bring the knowledge and skills of cultural practitioners to wider audiences.

Fauziah noted that Sarawak’s 34 ethnic groups, alongside its many sub-ethnic communities, possessed different languages, dialects, customs and traditions that collectively shaped the state’s identity.

These are reflected in traditional practices such as Malay Keringkam embroidery, Iban Pua Kumbu weaving, and Orang Ulu beadwork.

She also called for closer collaboration between the arts, technology, education, industry and entrepreneurship.

“Such partnerships can create new opportunities for cultural and creative practitioners while ensuring that their knowledge and work continue to be respected,” she said.

ICACA 2026, themed ‘Co-Creating Sustainable Future in Applied and Creative Arts Technology’, began today and runs until September 25 at the Faculty of Applied and Creative Arts’ Experimental Theatre.

Organised by the faculty, the conference is supported by PETRONAS Sarawak, Sarawak Arts Council, Sarawak Craft Council, and Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak).