The Academy of Language Studies (ALS) organized a Seminar on ASEAN Languages and Multicultural Studies (SALAMS) yesterday at Block B Auditorium, UiTM Samarahan Campus 2. The event is an international collaboration between ALS of UiTM Cawangan Sarawak and the Center of Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS), Northern Illinois University (NIU), United States of America.

It is organized as part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between UiTM and NIU. The MOU is a three-year agreement, which involves exchanges of expertise, as well as, international collaboration for conferences and summer programs.

The program is aspired from the Rector of UiTM Cawangan Sarawak, Prof. Dato Dr Jamil Bin Hj Hamali’s vision, who fully support the UiTM 2025 strategic plan that is for the university to be globally renowned in humanities, entrepreneurship, science and technology. In his speech read by Assoc. Prof. Ts ChM Dr Mohammad Isa Mohamadin , the rector hopes that future international collaborations with NIU will also contribute to the various initiatives in support of the Sarawak government’s strategies for Sarawak Digital Economy.

Anastasia Kocher, the Southeast Asian Youth Leadership Programme (SEAYLP) Administrative Director from CSEAS, NIU is the main international guest speaker for the event. Miss Kocher is not only multilingual, but also a culturally competent professional with vast experiences of working well with ASEAN educational stakeholders. More than 200 participants among students and academic staff at UiTM Sarawak registered for the event. By sharing her expertise, experiences and roles in collaborating and researching with ASEAN partners, the event offers potential future collaborations between UITM and NIU.