SAMARAHAN: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) will host the upcoming International Translation Conference (PPA) from August 19 to 21, 2025, marking a significant moment in the university’s role as a national leader in translation studies and cross-cultural engagement.
The biennial conference, first established in 1984 by the Malaysian Translators Association (PPM) and Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP), is one of Malaysia’s most prominent platforms for advancing discourse in translation, interpretation, and knowledge exchange.
Since 1993, the Institute of Translation and Books Malaysia (ITBM) has co-organised the conference, with a rotation of higher education institutions acting as hosts.
This year, UNIMAS steps forward as host, welcoming scholars, linguists, translators, and students from across the globe for three days of academic dialogue and community engagement.
In an exclusive interview with Sarawak Tribune today, UNIMAS Vice-Chancellor, Dr Ahmad Hata Rasit, highlighted the dual significance of the event.
“Translation is not just a linguistic task; it is a bridge between knowledge systems, a means of cultural survival, and a driver of global understanding.
“This conference empowers us to reflect on those roles, especially in our local context, where we are home to numerous indigenous languages at risk of being marginalised,” he said.
The decision to hold the conference in Sarawak is especially meaningful given the state’s vast ethnic diversity and rich linguistic landscape.
“This is a significant opportunity not only for our younger generation in Sarawak to benefit, but also for experts in linguistics to experience firsthand the unique multilingual and multicultural environment here.
“Sarawak is home to a wide range of ethnic groups, which naturally brings about a wealth of linguistic programmes and traditions.
“Having the conference here means it is not only an academic exchange, but also a direct engagement with communities that reflect this linguistic richness.
“With experts in language and translation present in Sarawak, this will contribute to a deeper understanding of the treasures we hold,” said Ahmad Hata.
Its objectives include fostering international collaboration among language professionals, examining contemporary translation practices, and addressing the challenges of interpreting and preserving indigenous languages across diverse settings.
For UNIMAS, the event is an opportunity to showcase its leadership in translation studies, and highlight East Malaysia’s growing contribution to national and global linguistic discourse.
