Welcome Note
Nurse Siti Aminah from Kudat in Borneo is just one of
many front line Malaysian health care staff working in remote
areas of the country.
International Medical conferences provide a valuable opportunity for professionals to meet and to exchange ideas. However, it is rare that such conferences take place in areas where the challenges exist. Sarawak offers a unique opportunity along with a brand new convention centre located in the heart of Kuching.
Sarawak is known for its large tracts of rainforests which sustain scores of culturally diverse communities. The rainforests also nurture orangutans, hornbills and the world’s largest flower, the Rafflesia. However, I know it will be the people of the state who will make the difference. Even in the remotest longhouse, in the most isolated part of the jungle, you will be greeted as if you were a long lost friend. With so much on offer, many of you will want to take the opportunity to explore the state’s wealth of attractions.
Organising large conferences is not a new challange to the Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society of Malaysia (OGSM); we successfully organised the FIGO 2006 World Congress in Kuala Lumpur. Accommodating 8,000 local and international delegates was a challenge but one which we handled admirably.
We are now in a strong position to organise the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists International Scientific Meeting 2012. We also have the support of the Ministry of Health of Malaysia, in addition to key organisations within the country.
My secretariat and I know that this contrast between the traditional and contemporary aspects of Sarawak will definitely appeal to delegates who attend the scientific meeting. Kuching is a city on the move with a new international airport, state-of-the-art convention centre, as well as impressive new hotels. We also appreciate that many attendees will want to give back to Sarawak, perhaps through the Heart to Heart Orang Utan programme and Charity Dinner for Womens Health.
Welcome to Sarawak, Malaysia! We have solid infrastructure and excellent conference facilities in place; and we promise you a successful, enjoyable and fruitful scientific meeting. We also have health professionals such as Nurse Siti Aminah, who will benefit greatly from being able to meet with international experts.
Along with Nurse Siti Aminah and my secretariat, I welcome you to Sarawak and Malaysia; be touched by a welcome that comes from the heart.
Dr Gunasegaran PT Rajan, FRCOG
Chairman
Congress Secretariat RCOG 2012
Nurse Siti Aminah, Sarawak
Welcome to Sarawak
From pristine underwater marine life, untouched coral reefs to rich heritage, and from wilderness to modern city landscape, Sarawak is a potpourri of experiences appreciated by travellers from all over the world.
Head into Sarawak’s interiors and be enthralled by the fascinating and enchanting dances of multi-ethnic tribes living harmoniously with each other.
Indeed, Sarawak is home to 28 ethnic groups each with its own distinct language, culture and lifestyle. The Ibans form the major ethnic group on this land with about 30.1 per cent of the total population for the year 2000 census. The Chinese, who generally live in the cities, are the second largest group at 26.7 per cent, followed by the Bidayuh, Melanau and other native tribes of Sarawak. The Malays also constitute a large portion (23 per cent) of the population, mainly living along the coast.
Sarawakians practise a variety of religions, which include Islam, Christianity, Chinese folk religion (a fusion of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and ancestor wordship), Baha’i and animism. Many converts to Christianity among the Dayak people also continue to practice traditional ceremonies, particularly dual marriage rites and important harvest and ancestral festivals such as Gawai Dayak and Gawai Antu.
For more information on getting around Kuching & accommodation available, please visit
Sarawak Tourism Board
Watch Video from Sarawak Convention Bureau (SCB)
The capital city of Sarawak
Kuching is the capital of the East Malaysian state of Sarawak. Being the most populous city in the state of Sarawak, Kuching has emerged as one of the most vibrant cities in the region and it is the largest city on the island of Borneo as well as the fourth largest city in Malaysia. Kuching was elevated to city status on 1 August 1988 and carries the nickname of Cat City.
Kuching is situated at the banks of the Sarawak River on the North-Western part of the island of Borneo. It has a tropical rainforest climate (Koppen climate classification Af), moderately hot but very humid at times, with substantial rainfall.
Kuching is also the 4th largest urban area in Malaysia, after Kuala Lumpur-Klang Valley, Penang and Johor Bahru. The 2006 census indicated that Greater Kuching’s metropolitan area, including Asajaya, Samarahan and Bau-Lundu consisted of 980,000 inhabitants.
The majority of people in Kuching communicate in Bahasa Melayu (Malay Language) and English. English is more widely spoken in Kuching than the Malay Language due to various dialect languages. The Malay dialect spoken in Kuching is known as Bahasa Sarawak (Sarawakian Malay Language), which has lexical differences compared to the dialect spoken in Peninsular Malaysia. Because of this, the Malay Language is not considered of paramount importance by residents of Kuching.
(Source: Wikipedia)
The Venue
Borneo Convention Centre Kuching
Featuring world-class facilities, BCCK combines spacious design, flexible and elegant conference halls with a professional, experienced management team, and 5 star service converging to bring you a unique event experience.
BCCK has a rainforest themed architecture, and a major feature of the centre’s design when viewed from the outside is its roof structure. The roof is shaped in the form of a ‘Ririk’ leaf, a rainforest plant that plays an important role in the local indigenous cultures. With environmental preservation in mind, rain water will automatically be channeled down the central vein of the leaf on the rooftop and collected for irrigation in the Centre’s gardens and grounds.
The Isthmus,
Sejingkat,
93050 Kuching,
Sarawak, MALAYSIA
Tel : (+60) 82 392 888
Toll Free : 1-800-88-BCCK (2225)
Fax : (+60) 82 480 222
Website : www.bcck.com.my
Delivering Successful Events
We have combined a facility with the latest technology and design with a motivated team to make the RCOG meeting a successful event. BCCK, uniquely designed with all the meeting facilities on the one level, can accommodate events from 5 – 5,000 people. The Great Hall with 2,793 sq m is complemented by 14 additional meeting rooms, extensive registration and foyer space and world class catering services.
The design of the building coupled with our operating policies will promote environmental conservation, recycling and waste management.
Attractions Around Kuching
Kuching is a haven for tourists and is one of the main tourist destinations in Sarawak.
In Kuching, you are able to enjoy various sightseeing activities. These include visiting museums, sightseeing of Kuching city and sightseeing for nature lovers.
Sarawak Museum
The Sarawak State Museum is the oldest museum in Borneo. It was established in 1888, and opened in 1891 with a purpose-built building in Kuching, Sarawak. It is now called ‘Ethnology Museum’, which houses various ethnic displays and historical items of Sarawak.
Kuching Waterfront
The Kuching Waterfront is the best place to view the Astana, Fort Margherita, adjacent Malay kampungs of Kampung Sinjan, Kampung Lintang and the newly constructed DUN complex.
Lemanak River Iban Longhouse
A chance to experience life with the indigenous Iban tribe deep in the interior of Sarawak! See how their lifestyle has remained simple and relatively untouched by the frantic pace of human development.
Friendship Garden
The garden was developed to mark the symbol of friendship between China and Malaysia. It is beautifully crafted with small ponds and gardens, and is a perfect place for a stroll, feeding the Koi fishes, and trying your luck at the two wishing wells.
The Astana
The Astana meaning palace, is situated on the north bank of the river, just across the river from Kuching Waterfront. It was built in 1870 by Charles Brooke as a bridal gift to his wife, Margaret.
Sunday Market
Also known as Pasar Minggu, it is located at Satok and is a great place to observe local traditional trading. The Sunday Market comes alive beginning Saturday afternoon till the afternoon of the next day.
Semenggoh Wildlife Centre
Operates as orang utan orphanage and rehabilitation programme. The rehabilitation centre is a place where you can enjoy sightseeing of wild plants and animals.
Sarawak Cultural Village
This living museum shows the heritage of the major racial groups in Sarawak. It is also the site of the annual Rainforest World Music Festival.
Main Bazaar
It’s a very long row of shophouses for you to shop for Sarawak souvenirs and handicrafts.
Kuching Riverside Boat Ride
The boat tambang or “water taxi” on the Sarawak River beside the Kuching Waterfront is an endearing icon of Kuching for as long as anyone can remember. Taking a ‘sampan’ cruise is one of the must-do things for tourists visiting Kuching city.
Fort Margherita
Fort Margherita is situated at a breathtaking and strategic position along the Sarawak River. At present, Fort Margherita has been converted into a Police Museum and many of its old cannons, cannon balls, guns, pistols, swords and other vestiges of its artillery can still be seen.
Damai Beach
About 30-40 minutes away from Kuching by car, Damai Beach is Kuching’s nearest public beach. There is a small section of beach designated for public use with pleasant sand and little crabs that rush about and burrow underneath.
Kuching Civic Centre
This is a 3-building complex, landmarked by its tower with an umbrella-shaped roof. It is the best place to get a 360° aerial view of Kuching City. Take a beautiful snapshot of Kuching’s buildings surrounded by lush green trees.
Hotels
Content to be updated soon…
10 Reasons To Attend The 10th Meeting
Easily connected by air : Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo has a central location in Asia, is easily accessible by air routes and conveniently well-connected through multiple major carriers and budget airlines.
Safe and Friendly : Politically, economically and socially stable with a safe environment.
A melting pot of multiculture : Sarawak enjoys multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-religious people living in harmony and celebrating strength in diversity.
An impressive array of Asian cuisine : A multitude of cuisine choices; easily available halal and vegetarian food.
Experience nature at your doorstep : Sarawak is a unique ‘venue with a difference’: An eco-tourism destination that is home to the second oldest rainforest in the world, teeming with exotic appeal and charming surprises, yet equipped with modern and state-of-the-art technology and communications systems.
Prestigious RCOG assured quality programme : The 10th Scientific Meeting, organised under the auspices of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, UK in collaboration with the Obstetrical & Gynaecological Society of Malaysia promises excellent scientific content, which conforms to the prestigious RCOG standards.
Experience rural health care system : Through our unique Give Back Programme, participants will relish the exposure to local health challenges.
State of the Art Convention Centre : Complete, unconditional support from the state and central government and convention bureaus (Sarawak Convention Bureau and Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau).
A Thriving City with colonial heritage : The State enjoys a strong track record of organising and hosting international and regional congresses.
Luxury hotels at affordable prices : Sarawak offers great value-for-money with some of the world’s most affordable rates for accommodation and conference venues.
