The Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSH), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), continued its cherished tradition of celebrating the Gawai Dayak Festival with a vibrant Gawai Lunch gathering, bringing together its staff in a warm atmosphere of friendship and unity.
Held annually, the Gawai Lunch has become a meaningful occasion for FSSH staff to honour the spirit of Gawai, marked by gratitude, camaraderie, and togetherness. This year’s celebration featured a delicious spread of traditional Sarawakian dishes, including ayam pansuh, penyaram, lemang and other delicacies.
The Tuai Gawai, Professor Dato Dr Spencer Empading Sanggin, remarked that the event served as an important platform for strengthening connections among colleagues. “This lunch is not just about celebrating a festival… it’s an opportunity to meet, and to foster unity and friendship among our staff,” he said. He added that although staff members work in the same building, they often do not get the chance to interact regularly, making gatherings like this especially meaningful.
Dr Nicholas Gani, Deputy Dean (Research & Commercialisation), who represented the Dean at the event, echoed those sentiments in his speech, encouraging staff to embrace the spirit of the occasion: “Let us celebrate Gawai with joy and togetherness,” he said.
Meanwhile, Professor Datu Dr Neilson Ilan Mersat said that the FSSH Gawai gathering is a meaningful tradition that should be continued. He noted that such events help sustain the spirit of unity and togetherness, which are important values that form the cornerstone of nation-building in Malaysia.
Staff members came dressed in traditional attire, adding colour and vibrance to the gathering. The casual and welcoming setting allowed for relaxed conversations, laughter, and the strengthening of camaraderie among academic and administrative colleagues.
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