28-05-2025
Curtin students empower Bidayuh youth with digital literacy
Ariffin (middle row, fifth left) joins volunteers and participants for a group photo.
MIRI (May 28): Students from the Faculty of Humanities and Health Sciences at Curtin University Malaysia recently held a Digital Empowerment Workshop for Bidayuh youth in Tudan, aiming to equip them with modern tools to preserve and promote their cultural heritage online.
Supported by Pasukan Kebajikan Kanak-Kanak Bahagian Miri (PKKK) and Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) Miri, the one-day workshop was participated by secondary school students from the local Bidayuh community.
Participants received hands-on training in popular digital platforms such as Canva, Capcut, and Metaverse-related tools, enabling them to tell cultural stories through digital posters, short videos, and virtual content.
A key highlight was the creation of promotional content featuring traditional Bidayuh cuisine, like 'pogang', developed by the youth in collaboration with village elders.
Deputy mayor Ariffin Mohamad praised the initiative for fusing ancestral wisdom with modern skills, saying: ''Adab dulu, baru ilmu' (manners before knowledge) remains a guiding principle. This workshop shows how tradition can thrive when paired with respectful and creative learning.'
The workshop also featured lively activities including tutorials, team challenges, and digital content competitions, which sparked enthusiasm and camaraderie among participants.
Curtin students acted as facilitators, mentoring the youth through each creative task while building their confidence in using digital platforms.
Head of the faculty's General Studies Valerie Velina Anaelechi, also the project's academic advisor, said the long-term vision behind the initiative is to educate the young ones about the importance of digital literacy not only as a skill, but also as a tool for cultural resilience.
'Digital literacy is more than a modern skill; it is a tool for cultural resilience. By helping young people tell their stories online, we are giving them the means to protect and promote their heritage for future generations.' Bidayuh cultural heritage Curtin University Malaysia digitalisation lead
