Wikimedia Community User Group Malaysia/Reports/Wikimania 2023/Meqqal

Things I've learned at the conference

Throughout my participation in Wikimania Singapore, which took place from August 15th to August 19th. My main focus during this event is to collect new knowledge that I can use for our community especially Kadazandusun Community. I thoroughly enjoyed every discussion I attended, and I have also learned a lot of new knowledge.

• Through this conference, I have been able to learn how the Wikimedia movement operates beyond our borders, which we can use as a model for our own initiatives. By observing other countries, I can also learn how to further expand the Kadazandusun community.
• I have gained knowledge about Wikimedia projects that I had never explored before. With this, I can not only contribute to my native language but also teach this knowledge to others.
• Understanding the significant contribution of Wikimedia to the world of knowledge and realizing the substantial impact of Wikimedia on education. The knowledge liberated through various Wikimedia projects has helped many people for free.
• Realizing how Wikimedians play a significant role in preserving various bodies of knowledge and making a significant contribution to endangered indigenous languages worldwide.
• Learning how all Wikimedia members unite with one another to successfully execute projects, regardless of nationality, religion, or other identities. The same should be done by all communities to ensure the smooth execution of every project.

Overall, everything I have learned during Wikimania Singapore is based on the principles of free knowledge, as well as utilizing technology to assist each other in accessing information or knowledge.

Things the participant contributed or participated in or since the conference

16 August

• Wikipedia Basic Workshop

I have joined a workshop to contribute knowledge about the basics of Wikipedia editing and how to make contributions using specific and reliable references. During this participation, I was also taught to edit in Wikipedia Simple English without worrying about my less proficient English writing skills, particularly concerning interesting places in a region in Singapore. I intend to use this knowledge to contribute more about interesting places in my area in the Kadazandusun language.

• Wikimedia Commons Basic Workshop

I have also participated in the Wikimedia Commons Basic Workshop, where we can upload images and videos for the benefit of others. I have learned a lot of new knowledge, such as copyright, licenses, and image categories, before uploading pictures or videos. Although I have only learned the basics, this knowledge will undoubtedly be very useful for us, the Kadazandusun community, to expand our resources and introduce our culture to others.

• Wikimania 2023 Opening Reception and Wikimedian Of The Year

At this moment, I am greatly enjoying and celebrating the Opening Reception, such as the captivating dance performance. I am also savoring every moment of this event, especially when each Wikimedian of the Year award winner is announced, providing me with immense motivation to stay active in the Wikimedia movement.

17 August

• Recording Voices and local languages with Lingualibre

This workshop taught me how to record our voices to digitize our language in audio form rather than just in writing, using Lingua Libre connected to Wikimedia Commons. Each step was explained during the workshop, but unfortunately, at that time, there were some technical disruptions while trying to input my voice. I see this as an opportunity for the Kadazandusun language to move further towards digitizing our language.

• Wikimania 2023 Global Group Photo

I got to see other Wikimedians from various country and had the opportunity to take photos with them.

• ChatGPT vs. WikiGPT: Challenges

Through discussions about the challenges posed by ChatGPT, I have learned about the challenges faced by Wikimedia, especially concerning how difficult it is for us to write and edit in Wikimedia to provide information and knowledge. However, with the use of OpenAI, information can be easily understood.

18 August

• Inauguration of Kent Wiki Club

As a student at the Kent Campus Teacher Education Institution majoring in the Kadazandusun language, we have been given the opportunity to inaugurate the Wikikent club. We are very grateful for this opportunity. Although our presence was only attended by eight students accompanied by four directors, many Wikimedia members also joined in to make this inauguration ceremony lively. The inauguration of this club serves as motivation for IPG Kent Campus students to continue actively participating in the Wikimedia movement and serves as a symbol of progress for the Kadazandusun people on a global scale. Wikimedia is also very useful for us as a source of information during our learning journey.

• I was interviewed

After the inauguration of the Wikikent club, I was interviewed about my involvement in Wikimedia and my message to other young people. I took this opportunity to speak in my native language, Kadazandusun, to provide motivation and confidence to them in revitalizing this language.

19 August

• Sazau by Wikeint and Manuk Lembukun Dance from Borneo

As a student at the Kent Campus Teacher Education Institution majoring in the Kadazandusun language, we have been given the opportunity to inaugurate the Wikikent club. We are very grateful for this opportunity. Although our presence was only attended by eight students accompanied by four directors, many Wikimedia members also joined in to make this inauguration ceremony lively. The inauguration of this club serves as motivation for IPG Kent Campus students to continue actively participating in the Wikimedia movement and serves as a symbol of progress for the Kadazandusun people on a global scale. Wikimedia is also very useful for us as a source of information during our learning journey.

• Rebranding Wikimedia to Capture the New Generations: Wikimedia for Cosplay and ACG World

I learned that Wikimedia needs to change its image from being solely an academic-centered platform to reaching out to the wider public, especially the younger generation, in line with the changing times, trends, and technology.

• Wikimania 2023 Dinner and Dance

On the final night, I joined all the Wikimedians present to celebrate the last evening. The dancing and delicious food made it a very beautiful night. I got to know and became friends with many Wikimedians from various countries, as well as learned about new cultures and languages.

Plans after the conference (from what was learned or contributed in the conference)

1. Using the knowledge I've gained to share with my friends and family.
2. Uploading more free knowledge in the Kadazandusun language as a step towards advancing our native language.
3. Digitizing our culture and traditional tools to introduce Kadazandusun culture to the world.
4. Being an active advocate for any Wikimedia movement or program.
5. Learning more about Wikimedia that I don't know.
6. Encouraging more young people to edit and contribute to Wikimedia, especially Wikipedia Commons and Wiktionary.
7. Writing about interesting places and the history of my region.

Comments/ suggestions about the conference

Overall, Wikimedia has become a valuable source of knowledge for me, as well as providing various engaging, enjoyable, and beneficial activities. I hope that more Wikipedia programs can be organized to fill leisure time and promote diverse cultures in Sabah, Malaysia.

Ponsikou Wikimedia Foundation

Thank you to the Wikimedia Foundation for making various contributions to culture and language in Malaysia and providing a variety of engaging activities that I will never forget. I hope Wikimedia will continue to advance with the same goal of liberating knowledge freely.