KUCHING: The Dayak Cultural Foundation (DCF) is sponsoring four participants in the Oxford Education Research Symposium, which will be held at Oxford University, United Kingdom from Dec 12 to 14..
Its chairman, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, noted that the study done by these participants was a noble effort in promoting local culture in the eyes of the world.
“There will only be two representatives from Asia which are the Philippines and Malaysia.
“Looking at your research paper, this metaverse is a very contemporary subject, so we are very proud that you will be able to present Sarawak to this Oxford symposium.
“It’s a very noble thing. A lot of our culture, way of life, and scenery are not really exposed to the world. Through your programme, once it comes alive, everybody can experience it,” said Uggah.
He said this when presenting the cheque of sponsorship amounting to more than RM53,000 to the team representative, Stephanie Natasha Rich Joseph, at the DCF conference room at Bangunan Tun Jugah here yesterday (Dec 4).
The team, comprising Stephanie Natasha Rich Joseph, Daryl Albright, Doubless John, Joyslyn Andrea Jeffy, and Marcellius Clarence Ley will be presenting their research paper titled “Learning through Metaverse: A Paradigm Shift in Acquiring English for Communication of Selected Tertiary Institutions in Sarawak.”
The research addresses the effectiveness and impact of using an immersive virtual reality environment to promote the acquisition of English as a second language.
Stephanie said a virtual reality headset (or VR headset) would be used during the presentation to provide virtual reality for the wearer.
The wearer will experience the local culture of Sarawak, including the view of Sarawak scenery such as the forest.
Uggah, who is also Deputy Premier, then asserted that the foundation would continue to support Dayak students as much as they could.
Also present were DCF board members Datuk Amar Michael Manyin Jawong, Datuk Joseph Salang, Datuk Ose Murang, Datuk Christopher Adrian, Prof. Dr Neilson Ilan Mersat and Libat Langub.
