The International Resilience Symposium 2025 (IReS’25), themed “Building Resilience in the Community,” will be held on 25 and 26 May 2025 at the Hilton Kuching Hotel. Organised by the Human Resilience & Potential Centre (HRPC), Faculty of Cognitive Sciences and Human Development, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), the symposium seeks to advance collaboration among academia, industry, and community stakeholders through an innovative symposium model.
Positioned as a global platform for resilience interventions, social innovation, and knowledge exchange, IReS’25 will spotlight six community programmes across Sarawak—spanning four kampungs, one centre, and one agency—designed to showcase grassroots resilience efforts with real-world impact.
These programmes will be led by a diverse team of facilitators comprising both local and international experts:
- Professor Dr Amirah Diniaty M. Pd. Kons. (Indonesia)
- Dr Ida Juliana Hutasuhut (UNIMAS)
- Dr Florianna Lendai Michael Mulok (UNIMAS)
- Professor Ts Dr Shanti Faridah Salleh (Institute of Sustainable & Renewable Energy, UNIMAS)
- Mohamad Nazwan Mohamad Taufiq (Dee Hati Grief, Trauma & Bereavement Centre)
- Dr Wan Norizan Wan Hashim (UNIMAS)
- Associate Professor Dr Rehman Ullah Khan (UNIMAS)
In addition, HRPC will contribute two in-house community programmes, led by its Director, Associate Professor Dr Sopian Bujang, and Research Fellow, Associate Professor Dr Amalia Madihie.
IReS’25 includes a distinguished lineup of international speakers, who will contribute diverse global insights into resilience research and practice:
- Associate Professor Dr Sopian Bujang (Malaysia)
- Associate Professor Dr Silvianetri M. Pd. Kons. (Indonesia)
- Professor Dr Odin Hjemdal (Norway)
- Assistant Professor Dr Hiroko Shibakawa (Japan)
- Professor Dr Sheila Marie G. Hocson (The Philippines)
A key highlight will be the special forum titled “Empowering Minds and Technology: Building Resilience for a Sustainable Future,” moderated by Associate Professor Dr Amalia Madihie. The session will bring together esteemed panellists—Professor Dr Mansor bin Abu Talib and Professor Dr Haslee Sharil Lim Abdullah—who will offer insights into strategies for cultivating sustainable, resilient communities.
IReS’25 promises to be a transformative gathering, equipping participants with innovative tools, strategies, and frameworks to build resilience at individual, community, and institutional levels. As global challenges intensify, the symposium reinforces resilience as a cornerstone of sustainable development and societal well-being.
For further details and updates, please visit the official IReS’25 website: https://ires.my