Fourth APRU Indigenous and First Nations Knowledges Network Workshop 2026 at Boracay Island, the Philippines
Led by the University of Melbourne with the University of Hawaii at Manoa, the Indigenous and First Nations Knowledges Network brings together member universities of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) to foster knowledge exchange, strengthen research collaborations, and enhance teaching and learning in the field of Indigenous and First Nations studies. The network's activities are centred on two flagship initiatives: the "Roots and Bridges: APRU Indigenous Connections Seminar Series" and the “Annual APRU Indigenous and First Nations Knowledges Network Workshop”. The Roots and Bridges seminar series convenes participants from diverse countries and disciplines to showcase Indigenous-led methodologies, Indigenous and First Nations knowledge, languages, leadership, and place-based research. It provides an interdisciplinary platform for dialogue and the sharing of innovative research and educational practices. Complementing the seminar series, the Annual APRU Indigenous and First Nations Knowledges Network Workshop brings together Indigenous leaders, scholars, and practitioners from across the Asia-Pacific region to engage in discussions on contemporary issues, including intersectionality, climate change, language revitalisation, and cultural sustainability. These in-person workshops combine scholarly dialogue with experiential learning through community engagement and site-based activities, highlighting the vital role of universities in advancing culturally grounded, inclusive, and community-centred approaches to knowledge creation, preservation, and dissemination.
Universiti Malaya (UM), one of the 15 participating universities in the APRU Indigenous and First Nations Knowledges Network, has been an active contributor to both of the network's flagship initiatives. In the "Roots and Bridges: APRU Indigenous Connections Seminar Series," Dr. Welyne Jeffrey Jehom, Senior Lecturer from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS), has participated on several occasions as both a speaker and a moderator, contributing to scholarly discussions on Indigenous knowledge and research. UM has also been well represented at the Annual APRU Indigenous and First Nations Knowledges Network Workshop. Dr. Welyne Jeffrey Jehom (FASS) and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Patricia Nora Riget from the Faculty of Languages and Linguistics participated in the Second APRU Indigenous and First Nations Knowledges Network Workshop, hosted by the University of Melbourne, Australia, in November 2023, as well as the Fourth Workshop, hosted by the University of the Philippines on Boracay Island in June 2026. Given Universiti Malaya's strong engagement within the network, greater participation from UM scholars and researchers is highly encouraged. Academics may contribute as speakers in the Roots and Bridges Seminar Series, participate in the Annual Workshop, and become involved in the network's working groups, such as the Research and Funding Working Group or the Leadership and Mentoring Working Group. Increased participation will not only strengthen UM's contribution to the network but also expand opportunities for international collaboration, research partnerships, and professional development in Indigenous and First Nations studies.