Curtin Malaysia academic champions indigenous knowledge in Smart Cities Forum

Miri, Sarawak – 7 November 2025 – The conversation on building smarter, more inclusive cities took on new depth at the ‘Forum Smart Cities: Building Sustainable and Inclusive Information Ecosystem through Education and Lifelong Learning’, when Dr. Roselind Wan, Academic Skills Advisor from the Office of Learning and Teaching at Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia), called for a reimagining of “smart” through the lens of indigenous knowledge.

Held recently at Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Miri, the forum was a highlight of Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Week 2025, celebrated in conjunction with Global MIL Week (24–31 October). The event gathered thought leaders, educators, and policymakers to explore how education and lifelong learning can empower communities in the digital age.

In her presentation, ‘Turning Access into Agency,’ Dr. Roselind challenged participants to move beyond viewing access to information as the ultimate goal.

“Access alone is not empowerment,” she said. “True inclusion happens when people have the skills, confidence, and cultural grounding to transform information into meaningful action.”

Drawing inspiration from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education), she argued that Media and Information Literacy (MIL) must extend beyond digital literacy to embrace diverse ways of knowing, particularly those rooted in Indigenous traditions.

“To build truly MIL cities,” she emphasised, “we must recognise traditional knowledge and ancestral wisdom as legitimate and valuable literacies. This ensures inclusion goes beyond access to real participation and representation.”

Dr. Roselind underscored the pivotal role of universities like Curtin Malaysia in driving this change, through curriculum innovation, community partnerships, and research that honours Indigenous worldviews.

“Building MIL Cities is not just about technology,” she concluded. “It is about creating spaces where diverse epistemologies coexist, where education transforms access into agency, and indigenous voices shape our collective digital future.”

The forum also featured distinguished speakers including Zaki Gunawan (UNESCO Jakarta), Datin Paduka Mastura Hj. Muhamad (Director, Selangor Public Library Corporation – PPAS), and Serawa Budol (General Manager, Miri Port Authority). The session was moderated by Nora Hii, Librarian at Curtin Malaysia.

As part of the global celebration of Media and Information Literacy Week 2025, the event reinforced Miri’s growing role as a hub for sustainable, inclusive, and knowledge-driven urban innovation, bridging global aspirations with local wisdom.

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

Hajjah Salina binti Zawawi, Deputy CEO of Pustaka Negeri Sarawak (second left) presenting a souvenir to Dr. Roselind while look on by Razak Haji Rambili, Regional Manager, Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Miri.

Dr. Roselind Wan (second from right) participating as a panelist alongside (from left) Zaki Gunawan (left) from UNESCO Jakarta, Datin Paduka Mastura Hj. Muhamad (Director, Selangor Public Library Corporation – PPAS), Nora Hii (moderator), and Serawa Budol (General Manager, Miri Port Authority) during the Global Media and Information Literacy Week forum held at Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Miri, on 27 October 2025.