Social Shaping of Technologies for Community Development Redeployment of Information Communication Technologies among the Kelabit in Bario of the Kelabit Highlands

Using electronic-Bario (e-Bario) project in the Kelabit Highlands of Sarawak in East Malaysia, this chapter explores how the introduction of information communication technologies (ICT) as developmental tools have been mediated and reconfigured by webs of social relations and the intricate interplay of social, political and cultural conditions specific to different social and technical settings. One crucial factor conditioning the effects of the project has been the Kelabit’s own desire for, and expectations of, “development” and “progress.” This is a quest which ties in closely with two fundamental Kelabit concepts: doo-ness and iyuk. As a result, the social and economic effects of ICT have unfolded through countless open-ended strategic and everyday decisions made by the Kelabit themselves, who actively consume, apply and make use of objects, ideas and services in the Highlands

Community Informatics: Challenges in Bridging the Digital Divide

Abstract. This paper describes how community informatics can help to overcome the digital divide between rural and urban communities in developing countries of Asia. The e-Bario project, a research initiative undertaken by a group of researchers from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) provides a context to demonstrate how information and communication technologies (ICTs) can provide opportunities for remote and rural communities to develop socially, culturally, and economically. The results of the initiative show the many ways in which ICTs can be used to improve the lives of the marginalized groups. However, other than the opportunities that the initiative provides, there are also many challenges that are encountered along the way. These challenges, based on the e-Bario experience are the major focus of this paper

Bridging the digital divide : effort towards establishing the real impact of information technology to the rural community / Roshidi Hassan and Megat Zuhairy Megat Tajuddin

The Bridging Digital Divide (BDD) Program initiated by the Malaysian government in 1999 has successfully introduced the Information Technology (IT) to the rural communities particularly in Malaysia. The computers and internet connections are available almost at every part ofMalaysia including those in the remote areas. However; to have a real impact of technology on people slives, the effort has to go beyond the infrastructures and technology literacy programs and awareness. Having information available suit to the needs of the local community will bring greater impact ofthe technology to them. Nevertheless, the new approaches need to be introduced to make the effort less costly. Some of the Digital Divide programs require proper coordination with other projects. Coordination with the responsible agencies in providing power utilities and road infrastructures is essential to make such expensive digital divide program more cost effective·and give greater impact to the community. Thus, this paper will provide numerous suggestions on the improvement in providing greater benefits; both the users and the project implementers. Besides, this paper will also discuss on the need of local content in local language with self-sustained nature. lt further highlights the importanceof having basic infrastructure such as electricity and road accessibility that may have influence over the success of BDD program

From Knowledge Management to Knowledge Governance: A System-Centred Methodology for Designing Indigenous Knowledge Management System

The existing frameworks and methodologies for software designing encompass technological aspects and needs of the urban settings. In software development, getting sufficient and correct requirements from the users is most important, because these requirements will determine the functionality of the system. In indigenous communities identifying the user needs and understanding the local context are always difficult tasks. This typical approach of designing indigenous knowledge management system generates the issues of indigenous knowledge governance, de-contextualisation, and data manipulation. Hence, the main research question this chapter addresses is, How can we introduce indigenous knowledge governance into ICT-based Indigenous Knowledge Management System (IKMS)? The study has been conducted in three phases with collaboration of two indigenous communities, Long Lamai and Bario of Sarawak, East Malaysia. The main outcome of the study is the methodology of conducting a multidisciplinary research and designing the Indigenous Knowledge Governance Framework (IKGF). The framework works as an analytical tool that can help in understanding the essential context in which indigenous knowledge management processes occur. The chapter argues that in order to design appropriate software tools for indigenous knowledge management, information technology professionals need to understand, model, and formalise the holistic indigenous knowledge management system and then use this understanding as a basis for technology design and approaches

‘Betek, Tali ngan Atap’ ‘Knots, String and Blades’: Production and Use of Organic Utility Objects by the Orang Ulu of Sarawak

The Orang Ulu people of the East Malaysian State of Sarawak comprise many indigenous groups. They live predominantly in the north-east of the State in highland rainforest areas and are both swidden farmers and hunter-gatherers. Many of the utility objects they use are manufactured locally from forest resources. As communications in the area have improved, new materials and technology have arrived and are influencing their traditional production. This thesis documents the production of material culture by some of these groups. Using a comparative approach, it examines the processes that feature in material preparation, the tools used, and the various styles of objects made and the designs chosen. During fieldwork the techniques used in the production of the documented objects were learnt by observer participation until they were fully understood and the fieldworker could replicate them. The study includes many illustrations and explanations of designs and manufacturing techniques. In addition the thesis discusses the changes that have occurred within these material culture assemblages. It considers these in relation to various issues,such as people’s identity concerns and the commodification of their local products. It relates the objects to their maker, user and usage, investigating labour co-ordination in the region and gender issues pertaining to them

Learning through 'prosuming': Insights from media literacy programmes in Asia

10.1177/097172180801300205Science, Technology and Society132259-27

Southeast Asian Anthropologies

Anthropology is a flourishing discipline in Southeast Asia. This book makes visible the development of national traditions and transnational practices of anthropology across the region. The authors are practising anthropologists with decades of experience in the intellectual traditions and institutions that have taken root in the region. Three overlapping issues are addressed in these pages. First, the historical development of traditions of research, scholarship, and social engagement across diverse anthropological communities of the region, which have adopted and adapted global anthropological trends to their local circumstances. Second, the opportunities and challenges faced by Southeast Asian anthropologists as they practise their craft in different political contexts. Third, the emergence of locally-grounded, intra-regional, transnational linkages and practices. The book contributes to a 21st-century, world anthropologies paradigm from a Southeast Asian perspective

RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS AND ANTICIPATION OF CURRICULUM DESIGN FOR FUTURE SOUTHEAST ASIA

Background and Purpose: The curriculum design underwent chronological pattern adjustment globally; however, the alterations are heavily contextualized. Therefore, this article is aimed to understand how futuristic curriculum design is perceived in South East Asia (SEA). The understanding of how futuristic curriculum design is perceived in the past is achieved through retrospective examination of published documents. After identifying past trends, anticipation from historical trends refer to a systematic projection of how the curriculum would be constructed for the future generation in the SEA region.   Methodology: This study presents an in-depth bibliometric analysis and visual scientific mapping of 2733 published documents in a reputable database. To examine how a futuristic curriculum is regarded throughout time, temporal, geographical, institutional, partnership and keyword mapping were quantitively analyzed. The succession of events in the past and the emerging keywords visible in the present were then qualitatively assessed in order to anticipate what is viewed as future curriculum in SEA.   Findings: According to the findings, the design of the futuristic curriculum has changed since the 1980s in terms of 1) centricity, 2) measured dimensions, 3) technological advances to support the 4) learning dynamics between internalization, regionalization and localization. Based on past and current trends, it is anticipated that curriculum design for the future will be 1) centered on an individual as a unit of a larger society, 2) focuses on measuring the tangible and intangible one’s performances using indicators by benefitting the technologically advanced 3) seamless and self-regulated learning.   Contributions: The findings and recommendations of this article serves as the baseline evidences in curriculum design in SEA education ecosystem to inform pedagogy and policy by exploring new areas of research and fostering the evidence-based knowledge in education.   Keywords: Future studies, Southeast Asia, foresight, bibliometric, anticipatory.   Cite as: Zainun, M., Farida, N., Saedah, S., Deva Nanthini, S., Shah Jahan, A., & Wan Nor Adzmin, M. S. (2023). Retrospective analysis and anticipation of curriculum design for future Southeast Asia. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 8(2), 266-286. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol8iss2pp266-28