PENANG, 27 July 2016 – Local Knowledge relates to the knowledge of a certain community which has undergone progress through time, in ensuring the longevity and sustainability of the unique heritage.

According to the USM Vice-Chancellor Professor Dato' Dr. Omar Osman, local knowledge currently needs to move further ahead in this era of technology through more specified means.

"Among the local knowledge dimensions to be given focus currently would be in relation to the academic ecosystem, and also its relevancy to the community, the industry and economy towards income generation, and I am hoping that in the coming years, this conference would also seek the involvement of the industries," he explained, also in his capacity as the advisor of the USM Local Knowledge Cluster.

Added Omar, the impacts from a number of the local knowledge projects have also led to the rise of new entrepreneurs in their fields of expertise, and at the same time bringing improvements into their lives.

As for the Head of the USM Local Knowledge Cluster, Prof. Dr. Badaruddin Mohamed, this conference on local knowledge which is held for the sixth time would focus more on research and conservation efforts while championing the various fields of local knowledge so that they won’t be lost in time.

"As a result of the conference which started in 2011, 45 books have been successfully published in addition to the establishment of the Asian Local Knowledge Network (ALKN)," he said in his speech.

Meanwhile, the ICLK2016 convener, Dr. A.S. Hardy Shafii said that, this conference would be looking more at understanding the knowledge and on the exchange of ideas about local knowledge, as well as the continuity on the progress of the local knowledge field by the participants from the various countries involved.

The Sixth International Conference on Local Knowledge (ICLK2016) would be held from 27-28 July 2016, with the involvement of participants from Canada, Russia, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia and the presentation of 90 working papers.

Also present were the Chairperson of the National Heritage Council, Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia Dato’ Ar. Hajeedar Abdul Majid and Professor Dr. Ricardo G. Abad from Ateneo de Manila University, the Philippines.

Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin

Text: Hafiz Meah Ghouse Meah / Photo: Mohd Fairus Md Isa