Record and Preserve Cultural Heritage
SDG 11.2.6
The University approach the task of delivering projects to record and preserve intangible cultural heritage, including that of displaced communities, with a shared commitment to cultural preservation, community engagement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and educational outreach.
The Hainan Boatbuilder of Pangkor Island
Local cultural heritage
This project digitally captures and preserves the craftsmanship of the Hainan boatbuilders on Pangkor Island, Malaysia, who build large wooden fishing boats by hand using traditional methods without formal blueprints. As this skill faces extinction, the project documents both the tangible and intangible aspects of this heritage, focusing on Mr. Goh, the island’s last Hainan master boatbuilder. It uses multimedia to engage audiences and raise awareness of this fading cultural legacy.
The Unseen Arts in the Malay Culture and Heritage
National cultural heritage
This project digitizes overlooked elements of Malaysian Malay culture, capturing both tangible artifacts (e.g., crafts, built heritage) and intangible practices (e.g., rituals, performances). Using high-definition imaging, sound capture, and 3D scanning, it creates a comprehensive digital archive in alignment with UNESCO guidelines. This "living archive" aims to preserve cultural heritage through field documentation and will expand over time via partnerships and potential crowdsourcing.
Folklore Stories
Heritage of displaced communities
The project aims to develop an immersive display system to digitally preserve and showcase Malaysian displaced communities' folklore. Traditionally passed down orally, many stories remain undocumented, especially from various cultural sub-groups. The project involves selecting, reimagining, and curating these stories to create a prototype for interactive displays.
Strengthening Heritage Preservation: Sunway University's Involvement in UNESCO Nomination Efforts
Another prominent evident in preserving heritage was in the University's recent involvement in safeguarding both local and national cultural heritage through participation in the national initiative to nominate Wayang Kulit Kelantan—the traditional shadow-puppet theatre of Malaysia—for inscription on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
On 7–8 March 2024, academic representation from the Department of Film & Performing Arts, led by Dr. Patricia Hardwick, engaged in a workshop organized by the Jabatan Warisan Negara (Department of National Heritage). The workshop convened leading Wayang Kulit experts from across Malaysia to rigorously review and enhance the nomination dossier required by UNESCO. This collaborative effort focused on strengthening documentation, refining cultural narratives, and advancing safeguarding strategies to ensure that the knowledge, skills, and oral traditions associated with Wayang Kulit Kelantan remain protected for future generations.
The nomination process itself forms part of a broader initiative championed by the Kementerian Pelancongan, Seni dan Budaya (Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture) through the Department of National Heritage, aimed at elevating Malaysia’s cultural assets on an international platform. The university’s scholarly contributions support this national mandate by providing research-based expertise, critical evaluation, and methodological guidance aligned with global heritage standards.
