The Sarawak Heritage Society (SHS) collaborated with two institutes of higher learning, Limkokwing Institute of Creative Technology Kuching (LICT) and UCS Institut Eksekutif Kuching, in organizing a “Heritage Conservation Talks program” recently to create public awareness of the principles and concepts of heritage conservation.

This education program consisted of a series of three lectures, and a heritage walk which guided the participants through in understanding the significance of our cultural heritage and learning to appreciate their own uniqueness through the experience.

According to Chai Phay Yung, lecturer at LICT and member of the Sarawak Heritage Society, the meaning of the word “heritage”, is defined by features that have been inherited from the past, either tangible or intangible, relating to what we live with in the present. “It also encompasses what we pass on to future generations to learn from, to marvel at and to enjoy,” she said.

“They are our touchstones, our points of reference, our identity,” she added. “This heritage often reflects the lives of our ancestors and often survives today only because of specific efforts to preserve it.”

Around 50 participants attended the programme. Among them were students of architecture, interior design, engineering, tourism and interested parties.

Among the topics covered at the lecture series were “Understanding Heritage” which was an introductory lecture on common terminology, definition, types, importance, values, stakeholders and ways to protect cultural heritage.

Other lecture topics touched on subjects such as “Unique Cultural Heritage of Sarawak and Kuching” which related to the tangible and intangible cultural heritage. The last lecture “Heritage Conservation Principles” was a case study of local conservation projects to demonstrate principles, processes, procedures and documentation of conservation.

The participants also learnt about the “Kuching Heritage Trail” which was a walk around the Historical Kuching Precinct to experience and appreciate the diminishing cultural heritage that very much defines the character of old Kuching.

The group of students from Limkokwing involved in the project will also follow up with another interesting venture that consists of measured drawing of the recently abandoned market situated at Jalan Gambier.

According to Chai Phay Yung, students benefit greatly from the above projects as they learn about the different techniques of measured drawings and in the process gain a wealth of information about the built heritage of Kuching.