KUCHING: The 8th International Conference of Applied and Creative Arts (ICACA) 2026 serves as an important platform to strengthen collaboration between arts, culture and technology in shaping a more inclusive and sustainable future.

The conference was graced by wife of the Sarawak Governor Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi at the Experimental Theatre, Faculty of Applied and Creative Arts, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) on Wednesday.

According to Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah, the theme ‘Co-Creating Sustainable Future in Applied and Creative Arts Technology’ is highly significant as it emphasises the importance of collaboration among various stakeholders including universities, arts practitioners, industries and communities in generating ideas that are not only creative but also benefit society.

She emphasised that Sarawak’s cultural diversity, encompassing 34 ethnic groups, serves as the state’s core strength, with each community contributing to a unique identity through their respective arts, languages, customs and traditions.

“Every traditional work of art not only showcases beauty, but also embodies history, identity and knowledge that must be preserved and passed down to future generations,” she said.

At the same time, she highlighted current challenges in ensuring the younger generation continues to appreciate and learn cultural heritage, particularly as lifestyle shifts have led to a decline in the passing down of traditional practices.

Therefore, she called for more opportunities to be created for youth to immerse themselves in arts and culture through education, community programs and mentorship from experienced practitioners.

Commenting on the role of technology, she stated that the adoption of digital platforms such as digital archives, artificial intelligence and virtual reality can help preserve and broaden access to cultural heritage, especially among the younger generation.

However, she cautioned that the use of technology must be accompanied by responsibility, accuracy, respect for cultural origins and the involvement of communities as custodians of their heritage.

Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah also acknowledged UNIMAS’ role in cultural research and documentation, including efforts to study languages, produce documentaries and preserve traditional crafts, which help broaden public understanding of the state’s heritage.

She added that conferences such as ICACA not only provide a platform for knowledge sharing, but can also spark ideas and sustained collaborations that have a long-term impact on the development of arts and culture.

ICACA 2026 brings together scholars, artists, industry practitioners and participants from Malaysia and abroad to discuss the role of applied and creative arts in supporting sustainable development. -UKASnews