Uggah (seated centre), Remmy (seated left), Siti Noor Linda (seated right) and other Iban language expert participants of the workshop posing for the camera. — Photo by Faisal Ahmad
KUCHING (Jan 20): Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) plans to have its first intake for the Iban language Bachelors degree programme in its 2026-2027 session, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
When met after the launch of Unimas’ woorkshop on the curriculum development for the degree programme at a hotel here today, he said it would take time for the university to formulate and prepare the syllabus.
“That is why I am very happy that 17 experts of the language are all here and interestingly, it is a multi-racial group, which makes a good image of Malaysia.
“I must thank Unimas for organising this workshop. I am very confident the establishment of the programme in training Iban language teachers can become a reality,” he said, adding he was grateful to Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg for agreeing to approve the setting up of the section in Unimas’ language faculty.
Uggah, who is also Unimas Pro-Chancellor, said the main challenge of the faculty and experts is not so much standardising the Iban language but elevating it to meeting technological advancements, particularly in the fields of science, medicine and green energy.
“For instance, when you talk about Artificial Intelligence, even I don’t know what its equivalent is in Iban. Therefore, it is good to adapt — if you look at Bahasa Malaysia, there is a lot of adaptation so it would be qualified to meet technology and science terms. Now, we have green energy and so on, so this is one of the experts’ challenges — being able to build our vocabulary and meet the language of technological developments today,” he said.
He added while Iban language teaching courses are being offered at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) in Perak, as well as at the Institut Pendidikan Guru (IPG) Rajang in Sibu and IPG Batu Lintang here, the number of trained teachers in the Iban language is still not enough for schools all over Sarawak.
“UPSI Perak is trying its very best to produce such teachers. IPG Rajang and IPG Batu Lintang also seem to be unable to produce a sufficient number of trained teachers. Therefore, I suggested to Unimas to set up the programme,” he said.
Uggah earlier in his speech said currently 1,741 teachers of the Iban language at schools are either untrained or unqualified to teach it effectively.
“For instance, out of the 277 teachers, only 79 are qualified to teach at secondary schools.”
He pointed out the Iban language since 1997 has been sort of a ‘pupil’s own language’ subject in schools.
At the moment, a total of 693 classes is offering the subject across Sarawak, he added.
Meanwhile, in her welcoming remarks, Deputy Dean for Undergraduate Studies Dr Remmy Gedat said the three-day workshop, starting today, represents a crucial step toward realising Sarawak’s vision for linguistic and cultural preservation.
“With the unwavering support of YB Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and other stakeholders, Unimas is committed to ensuring the success of the Bachelor of Education in Iban Language programme,” she said.
The workshop, organised by Unimas’ Faculty of Education, Language and Communication, takes a significant step toward preserving and promoting the Iban language by developing a Bachelor of Education in Iban Language programme.
“This initiative aligns with Sarawak’s vision of strengthening indigenous language education and addressing the shortage of qualified Iban language teachers in the state.
“The proposed Curriculum Development Workshop, scheduled from Jan 20 to Jan 24 will serve as the foundation for creating a comprehensive and innovative curriculum.”
The objectives of the workshop are developing a comprehensive curriculum which is to draft the course structures and syllabi for the Bachelor of Education in Iban Language programme; ensuring it meets national academic standards and addresses the unique needs of Iban language education; and fostering collaboration that would bring together experts, academics, and stakeholders to share knowledge and ideas for an effective and culturally sensitive curriculum
It also hopes to promote linguistic heritage that would contribute to the preservation and promotion of the Iban language and culture through structured and sustainable academic programmes.
The introduction of this programme will have far-reaching implications, she said.
“The educational impact will see the production of qualified Iban language teachers to meet the growing demand in Sarawak’s schools apart from cultural preservation which is to safeguard the Iban language and heritage for future generations.
“It will also empower the Iban community by providing academic and professional opportunities in their native language,” she said.
Among the other experts present today were advisors in Dr Dilah Tuah (Dean, Faculty of Education, Language, and Communication of Unimas) and Prof Datu Dr Neilson Ilan Mersat and facilitator Dr Amee Joan (Coordinator, Bachelor’s in Education in Iban Language Programme of Unimas) and Unimas’ Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Prof Dr Siti Noor Linda Taib.
Also present were academic experts, linguists and curriculum specialists from universities, IPGs, Majlis Adat Istiadat and the State Education Department.
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