Latest news with #DiamondJubilee
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
From crown to culture: Atitih's new role at Sabah museum
KOTA KINABALU: When Atitih Yati Robert first visited the Sabah Museum in 2017, she was a teenage finalist in the Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan (UNK) pageant. The visit was brief — wedged between rehearsals and ceremonial duties — but it sparked a curiosity that would shape her future. Eight years on, the now 26-year-old returns to the institution not as a visitor or contestant, but as a cultural figure in her own right. Atitih, the reigning Unduk Ngadau 2025, was officially appointed as the Sabah Museum Ambassador during its Diamond Jubilee celebration on Saturday. Unduk Ngadau is a cultural pageant held during Sabah's Harvest Festival to celebrate indigenous beauty and heritage. The appointment is part of a broader initiative by the Sabah Museum Department to engage youth, cultural icons, artists and influencers in efforts to safeguard and promote Sabah's heritage through fresh, inclusive, and modern approaches. "I barely knew anything about the museum back then — just the name," Atitih told the New Straits Times. "I was so excited to visit that I didn't even finish my meal. I didn't want to miss the chance to walk around and see what was inside." Despite the short duration of that first visit, the experience stayed with her. Today, she sees the museum not merely as a storehouse of artefacts but as a living space where past and present intersect. "Each time I visit the Sabah Museum, I feel like I'm having a conversation with our heritage," she said. "It's not just something you read about. It's something you see, touch and experience. I've discovered things there I never heard from my family, my community, or in school. That's what makes museums matter — they help us understand before we can appreciate." She said that not everyone sees museums as exciting spaces, especially younger people. But she hopes to change that. "Perception reflects experience. If someone finds a museum uninteresting, perhaps they haven't yet had a visit that moved them," she said. "As Ambassador, I want to help spark that curiosity, even in small ways." For Atitih, being both an Unduk Ngadau and Museum Ambassador comes with weight — but also opportunity. "As someone in this unique position, I want to help bridge tradition and the younger generation. The responsibility is big, but I see it as a chance to raise awareness, inspire pride and connect our identity to the world in a meaningful way." She also believes listening is just as important as promoting. "I want to hear what people think—their ideas, feedback, even criticism. It's not about promoting for the sake of it, but about making the museum a space that people can connect with, and leave feeling proud and inspired." The Sabah Museum itself is undergoing a digital transformation. During the jubilee celebration, Sabah's Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment announced the adoption of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technology to make exhibitions more accessible and immersive. Visitors can now experience traditional ethnic houses at Heritage Village Phases 1 and 2 via an interactive digital platform, accessible anytime and anywhere. "This proves that heritage is not frozen in the past—it lives in the future," said the minister, Datuk Christina Liew, in a speech delivered by assistant minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai. Atitih welcomes the move and hopes to collaborate with content creators, schools, and cultural institutions to bring Sabah's heritage into the digital space. "Our heritage deserves a presence in the digital world. From short videos to virtual tours, there's so much potential to connect with people where they are." Since its founding in 1965, the Sabah Museum has expanded from a single building on Gaya Street to managing 23 museums and in-situ heritage sites statewide—including the Tun Mustapha Museum in Kudat, the Agnes Keith House in Sandakan, and Bukit Tengkorak in Semporna. A new site, the Muzium Tamadun dan Etnik Dusun Ranau, is also in development. Atitih believes heritage must be seen as a shared responsibility.
Borneo Post
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Borneo Post
Sabah Museum embraces AR/VR tech, cultural ambassadors
Joniston (third from right) and Atitih (third from left) taking a group selfie with visitors at Sabah Museum.-Information Department photo KOTA KINABALU (July 19): Sabah Museum has introduced Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technology, aligning with the government's aspiration to digitize services. Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew stated that through this immersive technology, visitors can not only view but also experience the atmosphere of traditional houses from various Sabah ethnic groups in an interactive three-dimensional format. 'Through this technology, traditional houses are not merely displayed but revived. Visitors can 'enter' these houses anytime, anywhere. This digital transformation conveys the message that heritage is not just to be remembered but also to be experienced in a modern way by today's generation,' she said in a speech text read by Assistant Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai during the Sabah Museum Diamond Jubilee Launch on Saturday. The event was held to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Sabah Museum's establishment as an institution preserving the state's history and cultural heritage. According to Liew, the appointment of Unduk Ngadau (Beauty Queen) 2025 Atitih Yati Robert as Sabah Museum Ambassador aims to extend the reach of heritage messaging to youth, artists, cultural figures and social media influencers. 'This ambassador will serve as a cultural spokesperson, conducting awareness programs and promoting historical values to the community through physical and digital channels,' she explained. The introduction of AR/VR technology and the involvement of a young ambassador is seen as a dual-pronged approach to bridge the gap between traditional heritage and modern reality. This transforms the museum beyond an exhibition venue into an interactive center for learning, recreation, and cultural connection. She added that the Sabah Museum Diamond Jubilee exhibition features visual documentation, archival materials, and a chronological display of the department's development since 1965, honoring Sabah's longstanding custodians of collective memory. 'I extend my highest appreciation to the entire Sabah Museum Department staff who, for six decades, have strived to document, preserve, and build the identity of this state. As long as this spirit continues, Sabah Museum will remain a beacon of knowledge, heritage and identity for the people, not only at the state level but also nationally and internationally,' she said. Sabah Museum now has 23 branches and in-situ sites across the state, including the Tun Mustapha Museum Kudat, Agnes Keith House Sandakan, Keningau Heritage Museum, and the Bukit Tengkorak Archaeological Site in Semporna. Plans are also underway to open another new museum in Ranau. Traditional houses showcased at Sabah Museum include those from the Bongi, Rungus, Murut, Bisaya, Lotud, Brunei Malay, Hakka Chinese planter, Suluk, Iranun, Makiang, Kalabuan, Gana, Lundayeh, Tombonuo, Begahak, Tatana, Sonsogon, and Kedayan ethnic groups. The 60th-anniversary celebration was also enlivened by a People's Sports Carnival featuring traditional games like congkak, tug-of-war and blowpipe, proving that heritage can continue to be presented and experienced in diverse forms.
Borneo Post
6 days ago
- Science
- Borneo Post
Sagah: Knowing 3Rs no longer enough for rural kids
Sagah (seated centre) joins guests and participants for a photo call during the STEM Catalysts Raspberry Pi 2025 programme at SMK Long Lama. KUCHING (July 18): Sarawak's rural communities must embrace Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) as the foundation of the state's future, said Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn. In his keynote speech at the STEM Catalysts Raspberry Pi 2025 programme held at SMK Long Lama, Baram yesterday, the State Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development said it is no longer acceptable to say that the 3Rs—reading, writing, and arithmetic—are enough for rural children. 'Our future depends on our ability to master science, technology, and digital knowledge. You too can excel in coding and STEM regardless of your location,' he was quoted as saying in a press release issued by Sarawak Skills. More than 1,000 students from rural schools across Baram gathered at SMK Long Lama for the programme, marking the largest turnout of the statewide STEM Catalyst tour to date. Held in conjunction with SMK Long Lama's Diamond Jubilee celebration, yesterday's event marked the 17th stop of the ongoing tour, spanning 18 districts from April till this month. The initiative is jointly organised by the Ministry for Education, Innovation and Talent Development, University of Technology Sarawak, and Sarawak Skills. The tour has already surpassed its initial target of reaching 130 schools, engaging over 160 rural schools and more than 6,000 students to date. In Baram, students from remote areas including SK Long Lapok travelled to SMK Long Lama to take part in the event, which featured interactive learning experiences. Among the hands-on activities were robotics, drone racing, hydraulic systems, hydrogen fuel experiments, AI-controlled robotic arms, and coding modules promoted by Persatuan Kebajikan Rolf Schnyder. A team of 20 trained STEM communicators guided students through the exhibits, explaining the science behind each activity in an engaging and accessible manner. Many students reportedly asked for longer sessions, and several teachers expressed interest in acquiring the exhibits for continued use at their schools. 'We're thrilled to see that some teachers even purchased exhibits on the spot. This kind of grassroots enthusiasm is exactly what we hoped to spark,' said Sagah. He also highlighted state initiatives aimed at removing barriers to STEM education, including next year's Free Tertiary Education Scheme which will allow students to pursue STEM degrees at state-owned institutions with full tuition waivers. 'Additionally, those from low-income households are eligible to receive an annual RM15,000 stipend. This is your chance to step into the world of STEM and help shape a smarter, stronger Sarawak,' he added. Sagah also praised the efforts of Sarawak Skills in bringing STEM programmes to remote areas like Long Lama, calling their outreach crucial in bridging the digital divide and nurturing future-ready talent across Sarawak. He acknowledged the strong collaboration with the Sarawak Education Department and Ministry of Education (MoE), and expressed hope for continued partnerships to support the state's goal of achieving 60 per cent STEM enrolment by 2030. Currently, Sarawak's STEM enrolment rate stands at 45.7 per cent. 'Today, we celebrate SMK Long Lama as a beacon of education. Tomorrow, let's celebrate it as the bastion of STEM innovation in Baram,' he said. Other STEM initiatives under the ministry include the Hornbill Foundation's 'No Kid Left Behind' programme, which delivers online STEM lessons to 11 rural secondary schools via Starlink connectivity; a collaboration with Unicef under the 'Future Skills for All' programme to train students and teachers in coding; and the SRDC BrightSparx Grant Programme, which funds student innovation projects, with the best idea receiving the Premier's BrightSparx Innovation Award. Also present at the event were Sagah's deputy minister Datuk Francis Harden Hollis, Deputy Minister in the Premier's Department Datuk Gerawat Gala, Telang Usan assemblyman Datuk Dennis Ngau, and Sarawak Skills chief strategy officer Mohamad Isham Fauzi. . STEM lead Roland Sagah SMK Long Lama
Winnipeg Free Press
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Edmonton-based ceremonial mounted army troop guarding London
OTTAWA – Just over a month after King Charles expressed his support for a 'strong and free' Canada in a visit to Ottawa, he invited Canadian soldiers to staff the ceremonial mounted troop which guards the official entrance to Buckingham Palace in London. The Edmonton-based Lord Strathcona's Horse regiment are in the British capital for 10 days of service, marking only the third time a non-British unit will mount the King's Life Guard. The Life Guard protects the Horse Guards building, which is the official entrance to St. James's and Buckingham Palace. The regiment is also known as the Royal Canadians and the members have had to adjust to larger horses used in London for the ceremonial guard. The only other two times foreign units mounted the Life Guard were also Canadian, including in 2012 when the RCMP took on the role to mark Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee and in 2000 when the Lord Strathcona's Horse regiment did it to mark its 100th anniversary. Canada's high commission in London says the arrangement symbolizes Canadian nationhood and sovereignty, and is an example of Ottawa's commitment to its allies. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 15, 2025.
Daily Mail
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Revealed: How a fear of looking like 'Mr Beckham' led to a stint in hospital for Prince Philip
Prince Philip ended up in hospital after he refused to sit down during Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee celebrations due to fears he would look like 'Mr Beckham', a royal author has revealed. For many Brits in the 2000s and 2010s, there wasn't a couple more idolised than David and Victoria Beckham.
