Written by Dayang Hajyrayati binti Awg Kassim (Programme Co-ordinator, Antropology & Sociology Programme)
On January 15, 2025, the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSH) at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) had the honour of hosting Associate Professor Dr. Tomas Zelinsky from Slovakia. Organized by the Anthropology and Sociology programme, the seminar, held in the FSSH Conference Room, attracted students and academics eager to engage in thought-provoking discussions.
Dr. Zelinsky, an Associate Professor at the Technical University of Košice, Slovakia, a Senior Research Fellow at the Czech Academy of Sciences, and an Honorary Fellow at Durham University, UK, is a distinguished scholar specializing in poverty measurement, particularly in subjective poverty and behavioural economics.
His seminar delved into the nuances of subjective poverty, sparking critical discussions on its relevance within the Malaysian context. Academics emphasized the need to adapt such approaches to reflect Malaysia’s unique cultural and social landscape, particularly in Sarawak, to ensure the accuracy and effectiveness of poverty-related interventions.
In addition, Dr. Zelinsky introduced his project proposal on market-driven solutions to poverty alleviation, presenting innovative strategies to tackle socioeconomic challenges. He expressed keen interest in collaborating with UNIMAS faculty members to further develop this initiative, leveraging local expertise to enhance its impact. His upcoming visits to UNIMAS are expected to strengthen this collaboration and bring his research closer to practical implementation.
Dayang Hajyrayati binti Awg Kassim, Antropology & Sociology programme co-ordinator said that, with FSSH’s commitment to addressing poverty through localized and sustainable approaches, the faculty warmly welcomes Dr. Zelinsky’s insights and looks forward to meaningful academic partnerships. His proposal aligns with UNIMAS’s vision of producing impactful research that directly contributes to community development and social well-being.
