Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and the Sabah State Archives Department have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate in research, education, and the management and preservation of Sabah's heritage resources.
The MoU was formalized during a signing ceremony held today at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSK), UMS.
The Dean of FSSK, Prof. Dr. Asmady Idris, representing UMS Vice-Chancellor Prof. Datuk Dr. Kasim Hj. Mansor, signed the document on behalf of UMS, while the Sabah State Archives Department was represented by its Director, Shirley Sion.
The signing ceremony was also witnessed by the Director-General of Sabah State Public Service, Datuk Zainudin Aman.
Earlier, Asmady when reading the text of the UMS Vice-Chancellor’s speech, stated that the collaboration is crucial as it will allow UMS students to access various resources that enrich their knowledge and understanding of Sabah's history and heritage.
"The Sabah State Archives Department plays a significant role in preserving and managing the documentation of our state's heritage, particularly in history and archiving.
"Through this agreement, it is hoped that both parties can implement several initiatives, such as joint research programs to facilitate studies on Sabah's history and culture and produce high-quality academic writings.
"UMS and the Sabah State Archives Department can also strengthen educational programs through collaborations on seminars, workshops, and exhibitions to raise public awareness about the importance of record and heritage preservation," he said.
He added that the collaboration is expected to promote the exchange of expertise and knowledge between UMS academic staff and Sabah State Archives officers, ultimately benefiting both parties.
Meanwhile, Zainudin, speaking at the event, emphasized that such cooperation is vital not only for the preservation of Sabah's historical treasures but also for the advancement of knowledge related to the state.
"This partnership will undoubtedly facilitate students and academics in accessing documents, photographs, and other resources for research purposes, benefiting various fields of knowledge.
"This will further enhance the role of the Sabah State Archives Department, not only as a repository of historical materials but also as a catalyst for the development of knowledge," he said.
Also present at the ceremony were FSSK Deputy Dean (Research and Innovation), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Syahruddin Awg. Ahmad; Sabah State Legal Officer, Habibah Abd. Rashid; FSSK Head of History Programme, Dr. Eko Prayitno Joko; and FSSK Head of Administrative, Norhanieyati Norhaizat.
