KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 4 (Bernama) -- Galeri PETRONAS together with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) co-organised the 9^th International Conference on Local Knowledge (ICLK 2019) at the Galeri PETRONAS, Suria KLCC on 2 October 2019.
 
The Conference, as part of the Bersama Merentas Zaman: Bersama Melakar Identiti Melalui Bakat dan Semangat series is a strategic meeting of minds with a common objective to marry the Arts and Sciences/Technology in sustaining local heritage.
 
The Conference is also a platform to explore how “local knowledge” and wisdom can become a basis to devise and implement a highly imaginative concept or technology on tradition and heritage, to conserve heritage and sustain local practices through arts.
 
The arts and artistic creation do not occur in a vacuum. Creative inspiration emerged in a myriad of ways, but the influence of local history, cultural practices, current events,  progress in science and technology, cannot be ignored as influences that inspire artists.
 
USM’s track record in organising the annual Local Knowledge Group since 2011, has to-date resulted in 44 books being published with Penerbit USM, documenting various research topics on local knowledge, including arts.
 
USM’s sustainability programme was acknowledged by the United Nations University's Regional Centre of Expertise in 2005 and the university also functions as custodian of arts and heritage while championing internal approaches to sustainability.
 
The University is ranked by Times Higher Education’s (THE’s) inaugural University Impact Rankings 2019 of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) as the number one institution of higher learning in Malaysia, and 49th in the world. This accolade is especially significant for USM as it celebrates its 50^th anniversary this year.
 
Similarly, Galeri PETRONAS has been at the forefront to support the development of arts in Malaysia by providing a versatile, world-class art gallery for Malaysian and international artists to display their works. Through this collaboration with USM in organising ICLK 2019, Galeri PETRONAS has added another dimension to the appreciation and conservation of the arts, by providing a venue to explore the different contexts within which art is produced and consumed.
 
The papers presented during this conference will be edited for publication and will be made accessible to the public.
 
ICLK 2019 is honoured to host the Merdeka Award recipient Hassan Abdul Muthalib as the Keynote Speaker at the conference on 2 October 2019.
 
For more information on the 9^th International Conference on Local Knowledge (ICLK 2019), please visit https://iclk.usm.my/.

About GALERI PETRONAS

GALERI PETRONAS was established by PETRONAS in 1992 to promote, develop and to preserve modern and contemporary art in Malaysia by providing a versatile, world-class venue for Malaysian and international artists to showcase their works and inspire thought-leadership. Among the leading corporate galleries in Southeast Asia, GALERI PETRONAS aims to make art accessible, enjoyable and engaging to the public and will continue to enthral audiences with exciting exhibitions and programmes. Since its inception, GALERI PETRONAS has played an instrumental role in nurturing creativity, innovative ideas, and critical thinking through art.
 
GALERI PETRONAS has received almost two million visitors since it opened its doors 27 years ago to the public through hosting numerous local and international exhibitions.
 
Located on Level 3, Suria KLCC, GALERI PETRONAS is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 am – 8:00 pm.
 
www.instagram.com/galeripetronas
www.facebook.com/GALERIPETRONAS
 
About Bersama Merentas Zaman Exhibition
 
Bersama Merentas Zaman is the third GALERI PETRONAS’ 2019 exhibition programme, held in conjunction with PETRONAS’ 45th Anniversary, National and Malaysia Day celebrations. It integrates the PETRONAS’ corporate narratives through digital displays that summarises its journey in nation-building for the past 45 years and a heartfelt dedication to the people of Malaysia for their unwavering support.

It is further complemented and enhanced by a fine art section to capture the spirit of past achievements and potentials of future progress. Featuring three renowned Malaysian artists – Bayu Utomo Radjikin, Zulkifli Yusoff and Multhalib Musa – the exhibition represents PETRONAS’ growth alongside the nation and a glimpse of its next undertakings.
  
About Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
 
USM is a pioneering transdisciplinary research-intensive university that empowers future talents and enables the bottom billions to transform their socio-economic well-being.
 
USM began its journey as the nation’s second institution of higher learning over 50 years ago. The idea for a university in Penang was first mooted by the Penang Legislative Assembly, in line with the government’s mission to increase professional and managerial manpower in the country. Its mission then was to complement in nation-building and its motto was “We lead”. Initially named Universiti Pulau Pinang it was renamed Universiti Sains Malaysia in 1972 to embody the importance of Science and Technology in developing the workforce in our country.
 
Over time, the university has evolved into a sustainability led university, with an institutional vision to transform higher education for a sustainable tomorrow. The holistic strategy behind this vision contributed towards USM being awarded APEX (Accelerated Programme for Excellence) status by the Ministry of Higher Education in 2008.
 
To celebrate its 50th anniversary, various events have been organised by USM throughout 2019 including a Commemorative Convocation ceremony during which Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir was conferred the first-ever USM Chancellor’s Sustainability Award.
 
About USM’s Local Knowledge Study Group
 
Local Knowledge or Local Wisdom was the brainchild of Professor Tan Sri Dato’ Dzulkifli Abdul Razak and Emeritus Professor Dr Muhammad Haji Salleh, National Laureate. The Local Knowledge Study Group (LKSG) was established in 2010 on a voluntary basis, whereby the Student Advisory and Development Unit (U3P) of the Student Development Affairs (HEPP) Department was appointed as the Secretariat and centered at H24, Cahaya.
 
By the end of 2011, the Local Knowledge Group had established a Repository Centre for Local Knowledge at B-10 Building, USM. The Repository Centre was set up to document research, information and data, as well as collect working papers pertaining to Local Knowledge for reference and research/teaching-learning purposes.
 
In early 2016, The Local Knowledge Secretariat relocated to Level 3 of the Toray – USM Building. Known as the Toray USM Knowledge Transfer Centre, this building was originally established to centralize all research programs/projects related to preserving and transferring Local Knowledge under one roof.
 
Through the years, LKSG has organized many knowledge sharing activities with the stakeholders namely the community of practitioners, students and agencies that share similar aims at studying the Sustainable values in Local Wisdom and Indigenous Science.
Since 2011, the Local Knowledge Study Group (LKSG) has successfully organized a variety of events such as Regional Dialogues, Seminars and Conferences.
 
The events have usually been  on a collaborative basis between LKSG and various partners, such as Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, Kuching Sarawak, Institut Aminuddin Baki Cawangan Kuching Sarawak, Sarawak Convention Bureau, Sarawak Cultural Village in Kuching Sarawak, Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), Indonesia, Universitas Langlangbuana (UNLA), Indonesia, Universitas Pasundan (UNPAS), Indonesia, Yayasan Warisan Johor, Kadazandusun Culture Association (KDCA), Prince of Songkhla University (PSU), Thailand, Jabatan Muzium Malaysia, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and Universiti Malaysia Terengganu.
 
Papers presented at the LKSG conferences are published in proceedings, and research books under Penerbit USM, whilst selected papers are published in indexed journals.
 
Issued by
Media Engagement
Group Strategic Communications
PETRONAS
 
Source: PETRONAS

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Dr Darlina Md Naim
Tel: +6011 11070300 
Email: darlinamdn@usm.my

Name: Nursyazlin Shamsulbaha
Tel: +603 23924966
Email: nursyazlin.shamsulb@petronas.com
 
--BERNAMA