KUCHING: The Faculty of Applied and Creative Arts (FSGK) at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) is set to host a seminar that delves into the cultural and historical roots of the Astana, a significant landmark in Sarawak’s heritage.
Titled “Asal Usul Astana dalam Masyarakat Dahulu” (Origins of Astana in Society), the seminar will take place on Wednesday (June 25), from 9am to 11am, at the Islamic Information Centre, Kuching.
The event features a keynote session by esteemed historian Datuk Dr Sanib Said.
Organised by third-year students from the GKP3253 Arts Management Seminar (Group 2), the event is part of an academic initiative to bridge scholarly discourse with community engagement, aiming to explore the societal significance of the Astana in traditional times while nurturing the next generation of arts managers.
“This seminar bridges academic theory with real-world arts management, empowering students to lead Malaysia’s creative future,” said programme director Nurul Fatihah Naziah Zainal, who leads a team of eight Unimas student executives overseeing logistics, media, finance, and protocol.
Faculty advisor Azahar Hussain said exploring Astana’s history helps deepen appreciation of the society’s cultural roots.
“By delving into the historical significance of Astana, we gain a deeper appreciation for the cultural foundations of society,” he said.
The event programme includes participant registration at 8.30am, seminar commencement at 9.05am, and a closing Q&A session at 10.45am.
Designed to be inclusive, the seminar is open to both students and the public, fostering collaboration between academia and the wider community to enhance understanding of Malaysia’s cultural heritage.
Additionally, Unimas has announced another seminar scheduled for later this month.
Scheduled for Thursday (June 26) from 2pm to 4pm at Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Kuching, the second seminar will focus on “Batang Lupar dalam Lipatan Sejarah Sarawak” (Batang Lupar in the Folds of Sarawak’s History) and will feature Iswandi Junaidi as the guest speaker.
