GlobeSync research hub at Curtin Malaysia pioneering community-driven solutions for ageing and indigenous welfare

Miri, Sarawak – 17 September 2024 – In a groundbreaking move to drive positive community impact, Curtin University Malaysia’s Faculty of Humanities and Health Sciences has launched the GlobeSync Community Research and Sustainability Hub. This innovative research and sustainability hub, backed by Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) and Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, is set to focus on two critical pillars: improving the quality of life for older adults and empowering Indigenous communities.

Speaking at the recent opening of the GlobeSync Community Research and Sustainability Conference 2024 (GlobeCoReS), Professor Roy Rillera Marzo, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Health Sciences and Director of the GlobeSync Community Research and Sustainability Hub, expressed gratitude to Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) for their legacy grant to kickstart the hub’s initiatives.

“The hub aims to address two pressing challenges: the wellbeing of our ageing population and the rights of Indigenous people,” he stated during the ceremony at Curtin Malaysia’s Auditorium, which was officiated by Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, Sarawak Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development.

Highlighting a demographic shift, Prof. Marzo revealed that by 2023, 15 per cent of Malaysia’s population will be aged 60 and above, officially making the country an ageing nation.

“Are we prepared for this demographic shift?” he asked, directly appealing to policymakers. “Do we have the right policies to improve health, enhance societal participation, and ensure the financial security of our older adults?”

To address these concerns, Prof. Marzo called on Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah to support the development of an ‘Active and Healthy Ageing Index’ for older adults in Sarawak. This index would serve as a vital benchmark for promoting dignity and quality of life for seniors. He proposed Miri as the pilot site for this crucial research, which could have a far-reaching impact on policy and community support systems.

According to Prof. Marzo, the GlobeSync Community Research and Sustainability Hub will also be actively engaged in a Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) project in collaboration with Miri City Council (MCC). The project involves students, teachers, older adults, and indigenous peoples in contributing to the achievement of the UN’s SDG 2030.

“By starting at the community level, we aim to understand their needs to guide effective solutions,” Prof. Marzo emphasised.

Next month, in partnership with Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, the Faculty of Humanities and Health Sciences will host a symposium on ‘Media and Information Literacy for Public Interest’. This event will spotlight the importance of digital literacy in navigating today’s complex information landscape.

The two-day GlobeCoReS conference itself proved to be a remarkable gathering, drawing over 400 physical attendees and 800 virtual delegates from 36 countries. Themed ‘Bridging Gaps, Building Futures’, the conference was a dynamic platform for unity, collaboration, and actionable solutions.

“GlobeSync is about more than just research,” Prof. Marzo declared. “It’s about partnership, collaboration, and the belief that by coming together, we can drive meaningful change in our communities and beyond.”

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

Prof. Marzo delivering a speech at GlobeCoReS 2024