When tradition thrives through technology

The Star

17 hours ago

One for the album: Curtin Malaysia staff members, students and workshop participants posing for a group photo with Ariffin (seated fifth from left).
In a unique initiative blending tradition with technology, students of Curtin University Malaysia, Sarawak, recently empowered Bidayuh youth in Tudan through a full-day digital empowerment workshop, equipping them with modern tools to preserve and promote their cultural heritage online.
The workshop, held on April 19, was spearheaded by students of the Faculty of Humanities and Health Sciences as part of their Team Leadership & Community Service module, and supported by Pasukan Kebajikan Kanak-Kanak Bahagian Miri (PKKK) and the Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) Miri.
The participants, mostly secondary school students from the local Bidayuh community, received hands-on training in popular digital platforms such as Canva, CapCut, and Metaverse-related tools, enabling them to tell their cultural stories through digital posters, short videos and virtual content.
A highlight of the day was the creation of promotional content featuring traditional Bidayuh cuisine like Pogang, developed by the youth in collaboration with village elders.
Officiating the workshop, Miri deputy mayor Ariffin Mohamad praised the initiative for fusing ancestral wisdom with 21st-century skills.
'Adab dulu, baru ilmu – manners before knowledge – remains a guiding principle.
'This workshop is a testament to how tradition can thrive when paired with respectful and creative learning,' he said in a press release.
Highlighting the workshop's broader impact, PKKK treasurer and Faculty of Humanities and Health Sciences staff member Farahezza Hairon Nizar said, 'We want our youth to see digital tools not just as entertainment, but also as powerful instruments of expression.
'This initiative unlocks their creativity and gives them a voice in the digital age.'
The event was filled with activities – tutorials, team challenges and digital content competitions – that sparked enthusiasm and camaraderie among participants.
Faculty of Humanities and Health Sciences students acted as facilitators, mentoring the youth through each creative task while building their confidence in using digital platforms.
Faculty of Humanities and Health Sciences General Studies head and the project's academic adviser Valerie Velina Anaelechi stressed that digital literacy is more than a modern skill – it is a tool for cultural resilience.
Underscoring the long-term vision behind the initiative, she said by helping young people tell their stories online, the varsity was giving them the means to protect and promote their heritage for future generations.
For Audrey Serani Anak Lawrence Bong, a Bidayuh student and project team member, the experience was deeply personal.
'Seeing the excitement on the faces of our local youth as they shared and celebrated our traditions online was unforgettable. It is a proud moment for our community,' she said.