The Institute of Borneo Studies held a one-day workshop called “Latihan Pendekatan Antropologi dalam Libatsama Komuniti Orang Ulu di Sarawak” on 14 May 2025 (Wednesday) at Hotel Telang Usan, Kuching.
The workshop focused on how to use anthropology, which is the study of people and cultures, to work better with the Orang Ulu communities in Sarawak. The goal was to help participants understand the culture of Orang Ulu and to improve teamwork between government agencies, community groups, and the people themselves.
There were 29 participants, including people from different agencies like Chemsain, the Sarawak Premier’s Department, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM), the Majlis Agama Islam Sarawak (MAIS), and others. The workshop was led by Dr Juna Liau and Puan Dyg Hajyrayati, who have experience in community development and working closely with local people.
The event was also honoured by the presence of Dr Sharifah Sophia binti Wan Ahmad, the Deputy Director of the Institute of Borneo Studies. She welcomed everyone and spoke about the importance of using respectful and careful approaches when working with communities.
The workshop aimed to teach a community-based approach using anthropology to help design programs that fit the needs of the Orang Ulu people. It also gave advice on how to get more local people involved in development projects and how to measure the success of these projects based on the needs and problems of different groups.
This workshop supports the goals of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially in making sure rural communities are included and their needs are met. Participants were encouraged to use respectful and inclusive methods when working with local communities.
The Institute of Borneo Studies hopes this workshop will help more meaningful and respectful partnerships with indigenous communities in Sarawak, making sure that development plans respect the voices and values of the people involved.
