LANGKAWI: The emergence of artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies is set to enrich creative content in the near future, presenting numerous opportunities and challenges for the cultural and creative industries. Hence, to address these developments, the Creative Industry International Conference, (CIIC2024) provides a platform for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to collaborate and exchange ideas, navigating the waves of innovation for positive change.
The conference was organised by the School of Creative Industry Management & Performing Arts (SCIMPA), in collaboration with Universitas Islam Indonesia and Universiti Malang, with Langkawi FM serving as the media partner. The event also coincides with Universiti Utara Malaysia’s (UUM) 40th anniversary—a milestone reflecting four decades of commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and societal advancement. In his speech at the Neon Cultural Heritage Night during the CIIC2024 officiating ceremony, Prof. Dato’ Dr Mohd Fo’ad Sakdan, the Vice-Chancellor of UUM, emphasised the importance of preserving and promoting cultural legacies while embracing advances in AI and other emerging technologies.
The conference was officiated by Dato’ Haslina Abdul Hamid, Chief Executive Officer of Langkawi Authority Development (LADA), the main sponsor of the Neon Cultural Heritage Night. In her speech, she highlighted LADA’s recognition of creativity as essential to tourism and cultural development. She reassured attendees that both federal and state governments actively support initiatives that blend traditional and modern elements. She noted that LADA’s collaboration with UUM through SCIMPA is timely, fostering a vibrant creative ecosystem in Langkawi and contributing to its identity as a unique and culturally rich destination.
In its fourth edition, this year’s CIIC theme further strengthened the role of Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) through the School of Creative Industry Management & Performing Arts (SCIMPA), in the cultural and creative industries across the region. The two-day conference featured interactive workshops and research paper presentation sessions, as well as thought-provoking keynote sessions, attracting participants from Indonesia, China, Brunei, and Malaysia. The Neon Cultural Heritage Night brought together participants from these countries in their respective traditional attire enhanced with neon elements, symbolizing the fusion of innovation and culture.
Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr Adzrool Idzwan Ismail, the Dean of SCIMPA, and Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr Juliana Aida Abu Bakar, the Chair of CIIC2024, were amongst those present at the ceremony.
