Miri to host Borneo Research Council Conference 5 – 7 July next year

Miri – 27 June 2009 – Curtin University of Technology, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) and the Borneo Research Council (BRC), an international organisation of eminent scholars engaged in Borneo-related research, are jointly hosting the BRC’s tenth biennial international conference or ‘BRC Conference 2010’ at the Curtin Sarawak campus here in Miri from 5 to 7 July 2010. It will be the first time the conference is being held in Miri as it has previously been held in Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, Kalimantan and Brunei.

While officiating at a ceremony to launch the conference’s official website and publicity campaign today, Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam, who is also the Chairman of the Curtin Sarawak Council, said, “I am glad the BRC has chosen Miri as a second location in Sarawak for its international conference. It will be most interesting and exciting to see scholars and researchers from all over the world converging here to present and discuss the latest research findings in a variety of academic fields.”

Dr. Chan said the Borneo Research Council has long been doing great work in advancing and promoting research on Borneo, and of course Sarawak. Much of it has brought direct benefits to the State and the social and economic status of its people, and it is a great honour for Miri to be chosen as the venue for their next conference next year.

“I hope that, by virtue of the event being held in Sarawak, it will also mean greater focus on issues and concerns specific to Sarawak, or this northern region of the state. It will also be a great opportunity to promote our state to the international community, especially our rich cultural and natural heritage, and I hope all the delegates will take the opportunity to experience the local culture, lifestyle and attractions while here,” he stated.

Dr. Chan also expressed pride in Curtin Sarawak for successfully lobbying for the BRC 2010 Conference to be held in Miri for the first time. “It means a great deal to Miri and to Curtin Sarawak to be able to host such a prestigious international event. My special thanks go to the conference organising committee chaired by Madam Bibi Aminah Abdul Ghani, Rama Venkatasawmy and Terry Justin for its outstanding effort in bringing the event to Miri.”

“Curtin Sarawak can use the event to showcase its role as a leading centre of innovative learning and excellent scholarly research on Borneo to the international academic community,” he added.

Witnessing the launch were Assistant Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communication and Chairman of the Curtin Sarawak Management Board Datuk Lee Kim Shin, Curtin Sarawak Pro Vice-Chancellor Dr. John Evans and Dean of Research and Development Dr. Kaniraj Jeyachandran, university managers and deans, and members of the conference organising committee. Also present were Miri Mayor Lawrence Lai, Assistant Resident of Miri Division Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusuf and James Chan, Rooms Division Manager of the ParkCity Everly Hotel, the official hotel partner for the conference. The conference is also supported by the Sarawak Convention Bureau.

Following the simple launch ceremony, Rama Venkatasawmy briefed those present on the conference website. The website at www.curtin.edu.my/brc2010/ provides comprehensive information about the conference, including its objectives, logo, themes and sub-themes, keynote speakers, call for abstracts and papers, programme and registration.

According to Bibi Aminah, the fact the BRC has entrusted Curtin Sarawak with organising the event stems from the university’s reputation for organising various conferences, its outstanding research record, and its commitment to advancing Borneo-related studies.

She said the move is timely as Curtin Sarawak is soon to launch its Borneo Studies programme, marking a new chapter in Curtin Sarawak’s continued development and allowing it to play a larger role in the social and economic fabric of Sarawak.

The conference themed ‘Borneo: Continuity, Change and Preservation’ is expected to attract some 300 participants from all over the world and approximately 200 papers on the latest research findings in all academic fields are to be presented, discussed and eventually published.

The Borneo Research Council was established in 1968 as an incorporated non-profit organisation fro the advancement of knowledge with regards to Borneo (Sarawak, Sabah, Kalimantan and Brunei).  Since 1990, its biennial international conferences have been held at various institutions located all around Borneo.

The objectives of the conference include promoting Borneo-related research in the social, biological and medical sciences; enabling research communities, government departments and relevant parties to keep abreast of ongoing research and their results; drawing attention to urgent research, findings and conclusions; coordinating the flow of information from diverse sources pertaining to Borneo-related research; disseminating rapidly initial findings and outcomes of research activity; and informing interested sections of the public about research in Borneo.

More information of the BRC Conference 2010 can be obtained by visiting its official website at www.curtin.edu.my/brc2010/, by contacting Levas Mejus (+60 85 443910), Anna Dimin Minjap (+60 85 443840), Sorina Ramli (+60 85 443911) or Hasrani Mola (+60 85 443911), or by sending an e-mail to brc2010secretariat@curtin.edu.my.

Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr. George Chan Hong Nam (left) striking gong to launch the BRC Conference 2010 website and campaign while Bibi Aminah Abdul Ghani, Dr John Evans, Lawrence Lai, Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusuf and Datuk Lee Kim Shin look on