BANDUNG, 14 October 2015 – The Local Knowledge team from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is expanding its role in the area of local knowledge regionally with the organisation of the International Conference on Local Knowledge 2015.

According to the USM Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato' Dr. Omar Osman, this conference is a success with the participation of 21 educational institutions from five countries which are Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei and Russia, and the presentation of more than 100 working papers.

"The main focus of this conference, with the title ‘Local Knowledge: Axis of Global Knowledge’ is on the research relating to local epistemology and its suitability in realising social transformation through the involvement of presentations on new findings, opinions and experiences in the field of local knowledge," he said.

Added Omar, local knowledge is one of the strong areas which needs to be further explored and enhanced in the long term, moving across various knowledge disciplines, while sharing the cultural roots within the region, with fascinating degrees of similarities in thoughts and practices.

"The success of this local knowledge programme would provide the grounds for the undergraduate Degree in Heritage Science, to be offered at USM, and at the same time establish relations with research centres, government departments and universities, local and international," said Omar.

The conference also saw the launching of 11 books on local knowledge, which were the results of conference working papers presented in previous sessions, together with the launching of the Asian Local Knowledge Network (ALKN), aimed  to establish a network of local and regional institutions, organisations and individuals involved in the field of local knowledge.

Omar also expressed his hope, for the domain of the Malay local knowledge within the region to be maintained in its exclusivity and long-term continuity, with the availability of expertise in various disciplines from universities in the regional countries, such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Brunei and a few other countries which may be consolidated, to allow for the knowledge to be further explored within the existing contexts and cultures.

There were 15 themes which were given focus in the conference, namely anthropology, language and literature, local knowledge and technology, local knowledge and science, local knowledge and administration, sustainability, contemporary local knowledge, knowledge transfer, conservation, education, knowledge management, cultures and performances, traditional medicine, history and knowledge systems.

Others who were present include the Rector of Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), Professor Dr. Insinyur Bambang Riyanto Trilaksono; Rector of Universitas Pasundan (UNPAS), Professor Dr. Insinyur Haji Eddy Jusoh SP M Kom and  Rector of Universitas Langlangbuana (UNLA), Dr. Haji Nana Rukmana Asmita Es Ha M Ha.

Text: Hafiz Meah Ghouse Meah 

Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin