USM has sole right to study Francis Light’s letters

GEORGE TOWN: Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is the only university in the world to have the sole right to study the digital collection of letters written by Penang’s founder, Captain Francis Light, said its vice-chancellor, Datuk Dr Asma Ismail.

She said the historic collection kept at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, would change the landscape of Penang’s history and even the world, when a project known as “The Beacon of Light @ USM” was launched.

“This is a digitalised collection of 1,200 letters, bound in 11 volumes from 1771 until 1794, about 23 years, all written in jawi (arabic script),” Dr Asma said during the 2017 USM Sanjung Sanggar Award Ceremony here yesterday.

Present was Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putra Jamalullail, who is USM chancellor.

Dr Asma said the contents of the letters include correspondence activities and notes recorded by Malay leaders, dignitaries, wives of dignitaries and business associates at that time.

“Through the collection, there are several letters to be studied in great detail and to be explored by USM experts in the field.”

She said through the School of Policy Research and International Studies, the sole right to study the documents was obtained after eight years of consultation with the University of London.