UTHM to digitalise Johor's historical, cultural resources

BATU PAHAT, Aug 24 (Bernama) -- Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), through its Tunku Tun Aminah Library, has undertaken an effort to digitalise the historical, cultural and artistic resources available in Johor, said its board of directors chairman, Datuk Seri Ibrahim Ahmad.

He said the effort, known as the Research and Innovation in Culture and Heritage of Johor (RICHER), will develop a centralised digital portal that includes photographs, videos, newspaper clippings and other materials.

He added that researchers, students or anyone interested in Johor history, culture or arts can obtain accurate information by just browsing the internet or smartphone application.

“We will also display historical resources with the use of technological animation, such as virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality and a virtual tour to attract the younger generation.

“For a start, RICHER will emphasise three projects, namely Gambus, Pertempuran di Parit Sulong and the history of iron ore mining in Sri Medan. Apart from that, UTHM will also open a gallery in connection with RICHER in the library, and it will be open to the public,” he said today.

He said this at the launch of RICHER and ‘Bicara Negarawan -Tun Hussein Onn’, which was officiated by the Deputy Speaker of the Johor Legislative Assembly, Datuk Samsolbari Jamali, and attended by the National Archives of Malaysia (ANM) director-general, Jaafar Sidek Abdul Rahman.

Apart from UTHM, the RICHER project also involves collaboration with ANM, the Malaysian Museum Department and several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) related to history in the state.

“I believe that this effort will facilitate and provide benefits to Johor, especially among historical researchers. Through the same project we will also develop the 'Projek Laman Web Peta Johor',” he said, adding that the effort was supported by the state government.

He said at the same time, the effort can preserve the state's treasure in the form of a new reference source.

“This effort is rebranding Johor's heritage research using the latest methods, in line with the development of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR4.0),” he added.

-- BERNAMA