By Khairul Anuar Muhamad Noh
KUCHING, August 1, 2019 - Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) has set up Tan Sri Empiang Jabu’s Research Chair for Dayak Women Studies by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sarakup Indu Dayak Sarawak (SIDS) here today.
The Sarawak government contributed RM5 million to sponsor various activities for the chair to empower Dayak women such as drawing on the history of SIDS, benchmarking the development of Dayak women as a plan for the future and organising courses and trainings for members.
UPM was represented by its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Datin Paduka Dato’ Dr. Aini Ideris while SIDS was represented by its Chairman, Dato Ir. Alice Jawan Empaling. The signing of the MoU was witnessed by Sarawak Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi (Dr.) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Abang Haji Openg.
The effort to establish Tan Sri Empiang Jabu’s Research Chair was spearheaded by the Faculty of Human Ecology, UPM. Also present at the event were the Dean of the Faculty of Human Ecology, UPM, Prof. Ahmad Hariza Hashim and members of the Faculty Management Committee.
Prof. Aini hoped the collaboration between UPM and SIDS would kickstart the development and training for SIDS and Dayak women.
"UPM is confident that the strategic cooperation with SIDS and the Sarawak government will empower education in Sarawak for the benefits of Sarawakians, particularly the Dayak women," she said.
She said the collaboration was in line with UPM's new commitment to Sarawak in which UPM Bintulu Campus (UPMKB) has received approval to set up a new faculty, the Faculty of Social Sciences & Management, as a new addition to its existing Faculty of Agriculture, Science and Technology. - UPM
