Written by Dr Nur Auni Ugong
KUCHING, 2 October 2026 – Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), as a strategic partner of the International Conference on Sarawak History 2026, the Statesman Lecture and the 56th Malaysian History Polemic, played an active institutional and scholarly role in this significant series of historical programmes held at Wisma Melayu Sarawak, Kuching, from 29 September to 1 October 2026. UNIMAS academics contributed as paper presenters, session moderators and chairs, bringing multidisciplinary perspectives to discussions on Sarawak history, archaeology, cultural heritage, society, education, socio-economic development, maritime boundaries and geopolitics.
The International Conference on Sarawak History 2026, held from 29 to 30 September 2026 at Wisma Melayu Sarawak, Kuching, carried the theme “Sejarah Sarawak: Mengisi Makna, Membina Negara Bangsa”. The conference formed part of the 50th Anniversary (Golden Jubilee) celebration of the National Archives of Malaysia, Sarawak Branch. It provided an intellectual platform for academics, researchers and history enthusiasts to exchange findings and perspectives, while strengthening strategic collaboration and enriching the documentation and preservation of Sarawak’s historical heritage.
Strong UNIMAS Representation
In the session on Early History of Sarawak, Dr Nicholas Gani presented “Megalithic Research in the Kelabit Highlands and the Development of Archaeology in Sarawak,” highlighting archaeological scholarship relating to Sarawak’s past.
The session on Sarawak Administration and Federalism featured Dr Sharifah Sophia Wan Ahmad with her paper “Peranan Pegawai Anak Negeri di dalam Pembentukan Masyarakat di Sarawak.” The session was moderated by Dr Leha Saliman of UNIMAS.
UNIMAS was also prominently represented in the session on Sociocultural, Ethnic and Sarawak Heritage. Associate Professor Dr Juna Liau presented “Perubatan Tradisional dan Landskap Perubatan dalam Masyarakat Orang Ulu di Sarawak,” while Dr Nur Auni Ugong presented “Menelusuri Warisan Budaya Kuching” (Tracing Kuching’s Cultural Heritage). The session was moderated by Dr Tracy Peter Samat of UNIMAS.
In the session on Education, Economy and Development in Sarawak, Dr Adibah Yusuf presented on the development of Malay education in Sarawak during the pre- and post-independence periods; Associate Professor Dr Hamrila Abdul Latip examined socio-economic transformation and development governance; while Associate Professor Dr Mohamad Suhaidi Salleh addressed Sarawak’s socio-economic transformation from a traditional agrarian economy to a modern industrial economy between 1963 and 2025. The session was moderated by Dr Dayang Hajyrayati Awang Kassim.
UNIMAS academics also played an important role in facilitating scholarly exchange. Haji Shazani Haji Masri moderated the session on Sarawak’s Struggle and Nationalism, complementing the moderating roles undertaken by Dr Leha Saliman, Dr Tracy Peter Samat and Dr Dayang Hajyrayati Awang Kassim in subsequent sessions.
From Conference Presentation to the Statesman Lecture
UNIMAS’s involvement continued through the Statesman Lecture on 1 October 2026 at Wisma Melayu Sarawak. The lecture was delivered by His Excellency Tun Pehin Sri Dr Haji Wan Junaidi bin Tuanku Jaafar, Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak, and served as a platform for sharing a statesman’s views, thoughts and perspectives on Sarawak history with administrators, civil servants, academics, researchers and members of the wider community.
Dr Nur Auni Ugong, Deputy Dean (Student Affairs and Alumni) and Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, served as moderator of the Statesman Lecture. She had presented her research on Kuching’s cultural heritage at the conference a day earlier, followed by her role as moderator in the broader discussion on Sarawak’s historical experience.
UNIMAS Contribution to the 56th Malaysian History Polemic
UNIMAS’s contribution to the wider historical discourse also extended to the 56th Malaysian History Polemic, themed “Persempadanan Maritim Malaysia: Sejarah, Kedaulatan dan Geopolitik” (Malaysia’s Maritime Boundaries: History, Sovereignty and Geopolitics), held on 1 October 2026 at Wisma Melayu Sarawak, Kuching.
Dr Shafina Tantiana binti Zulkiplil, Senior Lecturer and Coordinator of the International Relations Programme at the Faculty of Law and International Relations, UNIMAS, served as session chair. Her involvement added a legal and international relations perspective to the discussion on maritime boundaries, sovereignty and geopolitics, further demonstrating the multidisciplinary nature of UNIMAS’s contribution to the programme.
Strategic Partnership Strengthens Institutional Collaboration
Beyond the scholarly contributions of its academics, UNIMAS served as a strategic partner across the three programmes alongside the National Archives of Malaysia (Arkib Negara Malaysia), Sarawak Branch, and other strategic partners and collaborating agencies. The partnership brought together archival institutions, higher education institutions, government agencies, cultural organisations and community-based organisations, reflecting a shared commitment to advancing historical scholarship, strengthening archival and documentary preservation, and enhancing public engagement with Sarawak’s history and heritage.
This strategic collaboration was particularly significant in connecting archival resources and institutional expertise with academic research and public discourse. Through the involvement of the National Archives of Malaysia, UNIMAS and other partner institutions, the programmes provided an important platform for ensuring that Sarawak’s historical narratives are not only preserved but continuously researched, interpreted and communicated to wider audiences and future generations.
Extending Academic Engagement to Students
Student participation further strengthened UNIMAS’s engagement across the programmes. A total of 40 UNIMAS undergraduate students participated in the events, gaining direct exposure to scholarly discussions on Sarawak’s history, heritage and contemporary regional issues. In addition, 10 postgraduate students served as rapporteurs, documenting and synthesising key discussions and insights from the sessions. Their involvement provided valuable experiential learning while connecting postgraduate training and undergraduate exposure with academic discourse, institutional collaboration and public engagement.
Strengthening Sarawak and Borneo Scholarship
The participation of UNIMAS academics reflected the range of research and expertise within the university on Sarawak and Borneo. From megalithic archaeology, administrative history and cultural heritage to traditional knowledge, education, socio-economic transformation, maritime boundaries and international relations, the programmes brought together different academic perspectives in understanding Sarawak’s historical development and its wider regional context.
Through its role as a strategic partner, together with the active involvement of its academics as presenters, moderators and session chairs, and the participation of 40 undergraduate students and 10 postgraduate rapporteurs, UNIMAS continues to contribute to the documentation, interpretation and communication of Sarawak’s rich historical and cultural heritage, while strengthening scholarly, institutional and student engagement in the study of Sarawak and Borneo.
FSSH – A Partner for Social Science