Seated from left: Marryann, Dr Rosliah, Ewon, Bernard, Philip and Rowindy.
KOTA KINABALU: Local portal Nabalu News has joined forces with the Language and Communication Faculty of Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) to empower the use of the Kadazandusun language.
The two parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the programme dubbed as the ‘Kanou Minsingilo Boros Kadazandusun’ (Let’s Learn Kadazandusun Language) programme, at a hotel here on Thursday.
In the programme, UPSI would assist Nabalu News by setting up educational online programmes, providing linguistic expertise and consulting services as well as reviewing Nabalu News’ Kadazandusun content.
The MoU was signed by Nabalu News Chief Editor Marryan Razan and UPSI’s Kadazandusun Language Programme Senior Lecturer Dr Rosliah Kiting, witnessed by United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) Vice President cum Kadamaian assemblyman Datuk Ewon Benedick.
Marryann said that the Kadazandusun Language Learning column was started last February and since then, it has been published three times a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday).
She said that the purpose of the programme was to uphold the native language of the Kadazandusun community and to disseminate current news from within and outside the country.
“The creation of a space to learn the Kadazandusun language through news portals and social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram is currently seen as very appropriate because most of the younger generation prefer to read news online.
“I hope the efforts of Nabalu News and UPSI will be a good start towards upholding the language and culture of Kadazandusun,” she said.
Also present were former Chief Minister cum Upko Honorary President Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, Nabalu News General Manager Rowindy Lawrence and Kadazandusun Language Foundation Chairman Datuk Philip Lasimbang.