Asian Local Knowledge Network (ALKN)
Arising from the enthusiastic response of local and regional academics to the Local Knowledge group’s research activities since 2010, an Asian Local Knowledge Network (ALKN) is being developed under the auspices of the Local Knowledge secretariat. The ALKN is a network of local and regional institutions, organisations and individuals that aims to share and apply relevant local knowledge, values, ethics and cultural practices into the contemporary lifestyle with the ultimate goal of sustaining the positive, impactful and inclusive past practices for future generations. The main function of the ALKN will therefore be to co-ordinate and organise community activities, collaboration and networking premised upon Local Knowledge under one roof among its members hailing from the Asian region. To date, ALKN has established preliminary links with Indonesian and Vietnamese universities. Plans for expansion are underway, to include other countries in the Asian region including Thailand, the Philippines, Japan, South Korea, India, Indo-China and so on. Networking and co-operation will hopefully later also extend to the Asia-Pacific region and beyond in due time.
The objectives of the ALKN are to:
- Establish networks with local and regional institutions, organisations and individuals involved in local knowledge practices
- Co-ordinate collaboration between partners in conducting local and regional activities related to local knowledge
- Promote local knowledge
The idea for the ALKN first took off with a preliminary meeting at Kuching, Sarawak during the 4th Regional Conference on Local Knowledge on 12th October 2014. Participants of the first meeting included representatives from local and international universities who attended this conference. ALKN will embark on its next step by inviting representatives from local and international universities and institutions identified by the Local Knowledge Secretariat to join the network by presenting an official letter of membership signed by the Vice-Chancellor of UniversitiSains Malaysia (USM). A meeting with founding members and prospective members will be held during the International Conference on Local Knowledge (ICLK) 2015 this October. As the prime mover for the ALKN, USM will assume permanent chairmanship of the network. The scope of ALKN activities will include organizing events such as seminars, workshops and dialogues, as well as initiating collaboration of activities on local knowledge, and sharing/disseminating knowledge among members on best local knowledge practices. ALKN will publish information and related activities in its own website.
Activities
i. Regional Dialogue On Local Knowledge
The Regional Dialogue on Local Knowledge is a collaborative program between USM and local and international Universities. These dialogues have been conducted since 2012 of which the primary objectives are to hold discussions, collect and exchange information on research regarding local knowledge encompassing various disciplines such as tourism, traditional medicine, performance arts, history, architecture, craft and others.
First Regional Dialogue
Date: 15th – 19th July 2012
Location: Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyajakarta, Indonesia
Second Regional Dialogue
Date: 19th – 22nd April 2013
Location: Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia
Third Regional Dialogue
Date: 20th – 24th October 2014
Location: Can Tho University, Can Tho, Vietnam
Fourth Regional Dialogue
Date: 11th - 15th December 2015
Location: Universitas Hasanuddin, Makassar, Indonesia
ii) Seminar Series
-2015-
Local Knowledge Seminar
Title Title : Potensi dan hala tuju, industry herba negara gandingan kearifan tempatan dan kajian sains
Date : 10 December 2015
Location : Universiti Sains Malaysia
-2016-
Local Knowledge Seminar
Title : Pemeliharaan Kearifan Tempatan dalam Amalan Pengubatan & Persembahan Main Teri
Date : 2 February 2016
Location : Balai Pasiban, Pusat Pengajian Seni, Universiti Sains Malaysia
Local Knowledge Seminar 1st series: USM - UKM
Date : 23 May 2016
Location : Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
Local Knowledge Seminar 2nd series: USM - JMM
Date : 8 September 2016
Location : Jabatan Muzium Malaysia (JMM)
Local Knowledge Seminar 3rd series: USM - UMS
Date : 15 Decemer 2016
Location : Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS)
-2017-
Local Knowledge Seminar 1st series: USM – Pusat Penyelidikan Langkawi, UKM
Date : 10 February 2017
Location : Pusat Penyelidikan Langkawi, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM
