Preserve traditional art for our heritage — Unimas VC

STRIKING: Fatimah (second left) and faculty staff looking at artwork from the Faculty of Applied and Creative Arts after officiating at the cultural week at Unimas yesterday. — Photo by Chimon Upon.
KUCHING: Traditional art should be treasured as heritage is the backbone of national unity that should be managed well for future generations.
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Fatimah Abang said this when officiating at the Unimas Art and Cultural Heritage Week 2013.
“We are unique as we are all from different races and religions with a rich culture to share.
“Let us all work as a team to strengthen the team spirit,” she said to all parties, especially students from the faculty.
She revealed that the theme for this year’s ‘Akar Budaya Semarak Seni’ event was to lift the artistic heritage that comes from the original culture.
“In other words, present and develop original cultural arts in terms of performing arts, crafts, art painting, traditional or contemporary arts,” she explained.
She said the four-day event from yesterday is in its ninth edition with the objective this year to expose students in the field of management and organising event to creativity, innovativeness and use of hi-tech; secondly apply knowledge learnt at the university; and thirdly establish communication in the field of applied and creative arts.
Later Fatimah examined the artwork of its students displayed at the faculty gallery and booth.
Project chairman Saufi Aiman Yahya said the emphasis this year is the concept of appreciating original art.
Also present were Dean for the Faculty of Applied and Creative Arts, Associate Professor Dr Hasnizam Abdul Wahid and Dean and Faculty Head of Liberal Arts, Dr Noria Tugang.