Bidayuh youth learn to preserve culture through tech at Curtin Malaysia workshop

Miri – 26 May 2025 – In a unique initiative blending tradition with technology, students of Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) recently empowered Bidayuh youth in Tudan through a full-day Digital Empowerment Workshop, equipping them with modern tools to preserve and promote their cultural heritage online.

The workshop, spearheaded by students of the Faculty of Humanities and Health Sciences as part of their Team Leadership & Community Service module, was supported by Pasukan Kebajikan Kanak-Kanak Bahagian Miri (PKKK) and the Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) Miri.

The participants, mostly secondary school students from the local Bidayuh community, received hands-on training in popular digital platforms such as Canva, CapCut, and Metaverse-related tools, enabling them to tell their cultural stories through digital posters, short videos, and virtual content.

A highlight of the day was the creation of promotional content featuring traditional Bidayuh cuisine like Pogang, developed by the youth in collaboration with village elders.

Officiating the workshop, Deputy Mayor of Miri, Tuan Haji Ariffin Mohamad, praised the initiative for fusing ancestral wisdom with 21st-century skills.

“Adab dulu, baru ilmu – manners before knowledge – remains a guiding principle,” he said. “This workshop is a testament to how tradition can thrive when paired with respectful and creative learning.”

PKKK Treasurer and Faculty of Humanities and Health Sciences staff member, Farahezza Hairon Nizar, highlighted the workshop’s broader impact:

“We want our youth to see digital tools not just as entertainment, but as powerful instruments of expression. This initiative unlocks their creativity and gives them a voice in the digital age,” said Farahezza.

The event was filled with lively activities – tutorials, team challenges, and digital content competitions – that sparked enthusiasm and camaraderie among participants. Faculty of Humanities and Health Sciences students acted as facilitators, mentoring the youth through each creative task while building their confidence in using digital platforms.

Valerie Velina Anaelechi, Head of General Studies at the Faculty of Humanities and Health Sciences and the project’s academic advisor, underscored the long-term vision behind the initiative, “Digital literacy is more than a modern skill; it is a tool for cultural resilience. By helping young people tell their stories online, we are giving them the means to protect and promote their heritage for future generations.”

For Audrey Serani Anak Lawrence Bong, a Bidayuh student and project team member, the experience was deeply personal. “Seeing the excitement on the faces of our local youth as they shared and celebrated our traditions online was unforgettable. It is a proud moment for our community.”

As digital access continues to grow in rural communities, Curtin Malaysia’s Digital Empowerment Workshop stood as a powerful model of how education, innovation, and cultural identity can converge to build a future that honours the past.

For more information on Curtin Malaysia, visit its website at curtin.edu.my, or look for Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn or TikTok.

Curtin Malaysia staff, students, and workshop participants in group photo with Deputy Mayor Tuan Haji Ariffin Mohamad (seated 5th left)