Research Institutes, Centres and Units - Universiti Sains Malaysia

Centre for Global
Archaeological Research
The Centre for Archaeological Research Malaysia, established in 1995, was officially
launched by the Honorable Minister of Higher Education Malaysia as Centre for Global
Archaeological Research in recognition of its global contribution in 2009. The Centre
is the only one in the country which offers a minor package in archaeology and has a
multi-disciplinary team of archaeologists who are actively conducting excavations and
research throughout the country.
The Centre has generated a considerable amount of new knowledge on the prehistory
of Malaysia and Southeast Asia by its major discoveries. It is also actively training
young students from the arts and pure sciences, and staff from other universities, the
Department of National Heritage, Museum Departments and other relevant institutions
in various aspects of archaeological research and work. In 1998, the Centre was
instrumental in the establishment of a consortium between Universiti Sains Malaysia
and the Silpakorn University of Thailand, Universitas Gadjah Mada of Indonesia and
University of Philippines which undertakes training courses and research activities in
the field of archaeology.
Goal and Objectives
1. To plan and intensify systematic research programmes in building new knowledge
not only on Malaysia and Southeast Asian prehistory, but also contributing to the
global archaeological data.
2. To offer undergraduates a minor package in archaeology and also postgraduate
training and degree courses in archaeology.
3. To train and upgrade knowledge and technical skills among local and foreign heritage
and museum staff in the field of archaeology.
4. To provide advisory and consultancy services in the preservation and conservation
of our cultural heritage through research, establishment of exhibitions and museums,
and EIA (Environmental Impact Assessments) studies.
Research Activities
The Centre was designed for a multi-disciplinary research through collaborations with
local and foreign scientists, postgraduate training, and nurturing research cooperation
and collaborations with other institutions in Southeast Asia, China, Japan and Australia,
United Kingdom and the United States of America.