UPM SERDANG, December 18 - The Negeri Sembilan Writers Association (PEN), in collaboration with the Institute of Social Science Studies, UPM with the support of the National Writers' Association Coalition (GAPENA) has organized a Seminar on Zakaria Ali's Thoughts: Social Criticism Projections on December 18, 2024, at the Rashdan Baba Auditorium, UPM. Dr. Zakaria Ali is a well-known writer from Kampung Batu, Rembau, Negeri Sembilan. Belia is the pride of Negeri Sembilan who works in two art mediums, namely literature and visual arts. At the age of 78, he continues to actively write and paint in his peaceful "nest" on the side of the town of Mualim, Perak. The seminar aims to bring together the country's literary and artistic figures with the audience, especially the younger generation, as a signal to foster a sensitive, critical and expressive mind.

The objective of this seminar is to gather researchers in various fields to examine the thoughts in Zakaria Ali's writings and subsequently produce papers for the purpose of publication, as well as stimulate the audience to understand and appreciate literary works rich in social criticism. In addition, through this seminar, art figures can also be introduced more closely through the collection of paintings by Dr. Zakaria Ali which is exhibited in the entrance of the seminar hall. The keynote speaker for the seminar was National Literary Scholar Datuk Dr Siti Zainon Ismail, with the title "Manifestation of Visual Arts in Word Lines". The panelists of the presentation session were Zaen Kasturi, Dr. Zul Haimi Md Zin, Tuan Che Abdullah Che Ya, Puan Nisah Haron, and Puan Nor Azah Aziz. The closing ceremony of the seminar was officiated by Tan Sri Johan Jaafar (National Journalism Laureate). Also present was Prof. Dr. Ismi Arif Ismail, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International), UPM. The seminar was attended by more than 100 participants consisting of IPTA students, UPM staff, NGOs and the public.

Date of Input: 30/12/2024 | Updated: 30/12/2024 | nm_aini