Serdang, 10 July 2025 – A total of 15 staff members from the Sultan Abdul Samad Library (PSAS) participated in the Oral History Workshop: Documenting Experiences and Stories, held at Auditorium Lukut 1, PSAS, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). The program was organized by the Media, Archives and Conservation Division of PSAS as part of an initiative to strengthen the institutional oral history documentation efforts.

The workshop, conducted from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., was led by Mr. Jafalizan Bin Md Jali, Senior Lecturer from the Faculty of Information Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, who has extensive experience in the field of oral history.

The main objective of the workshop was to provide participants with both theoretical and practical exposure to oral history methodology, interview techniques, documentation ethics, and the use of recording equipment for capturing and preserving historical narratives from primary sources.

This workshop plays a vital role in preparing library staff to serve as facilitators in systematically documenting the stories of UPM community members who have contributed to the university’s development since its founding as the School of Agriculture in 1931.

The workshop also aligns with the theme of this year’s UPM-level International Archives Day celebration, "94 Years of UPM: Honouring History, Shaping the Future," which encourages the university community to appreciate its historical legacy while planning a more meaningful and structured future.

A direct impact of the program is the establishment of a trained working group that will implement UPM’s oral history project, thereby enriching the institutional archive with recorded stories, experiences, and memories of key figures and former staff whose contributions may not have been captured through conventional documentation methods.

Workshops like this reflect PSAS’s strong commitment to preserving institutional memory and strengthening a culture of documentation, which forms the foundation for building the university’s identity and serving as a reference for future generations.