This paper introduces WarisanMaya, a mobile application that integrates education, commerce, and cultural

experiences into a unified digital platform. Designed as a cultural hub, WarisanMaya documents, celebrates,

and disseminates Malay heritage in an engaging and accessible manner, offering a dynamic alternative to

wider markets, promoting cultural sustainability and local economic resilience. The application directly

contributes to several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG4, SDG8, SDG11, and SDG17), exemplifying

how digital innovation can safeguard intangible heritage while advancing education and socio-economic

development.

innovation, Experiential learning.

In an era where digital technologies redefine human interaction and knowledge transfer, the preservation of

cultural heritage faces both opportunities and challenges. Conventional repositories such as museums and

archives remain invaluable, yet their accessibility is often limited by geography and static presentation.

cultural engagement within a single mobile platform, thereby fostering not only linguistic competence but also

socio-cultural appreciation.

The Malay language and its associated cultural expressions are facing gradual erosion, particularly among

younger populations who are more engaged with global digital content than local traditions. While formal

education introduces the Malay language, the learning process is often disconnected from authentic cultural

experiences. Simultaneously, artisans, performers, and heritage custodians struggle to find sustainable

platforms to showcase their craft, limiting both economic opportunities and cultural transmission.

Existing digital resources either focus narrowly on language or heritage, without offering a holistic, interactive,

and market-linked solution. The challenge, therefore, lies in developing an innovative platform that

WarisanMaya was designed as a mobile application combining education, cultural preservation, and

commerce. Its development followed a design thinking approach, ensuring user-centred innovation through

iterative phases of empathising, ideation, prototyping, and testing.

1. Malay Dictionary & Translation Tool: Offers word search with cultural context and practical usage

booking functions.

The methodology involved needs assessment through surveys and focus groups, collaboration with cultural

experts for content authenticity, agile-based technical development, and pilot testing with students and artisans.

Initial trials indicate that WarisanMaya enhances both structured and informal Malay language learning. By

situating vocabulary within authentic cultural contexts, learners develop not only linguistic knowledge but also

socio-cultural competence. This dual approach positions the app as a supplementary tool for formal education

and as an independent resource for travellers, diasporic communities, and heritage enthusiasts.

models. Strategic collaborations with ministries and NGOs will enhance visibility, adoption, and long-term

viability.

The novelty of WarisanMaya lies in its holistic integration of education, cultural preservation, and commerce

within a single mobile application. Unlike existing platforms, it does not treat language and heritage as isolated

domains but as interdependent components of identity and learning. The application advances a new paradigm

of cultural digital ecosystems where knowledge, practice, and economy coalesce.

For future development, recommendations include:

1. Expanding multilingual support to reach global audiences.

2. Incorporating AI-driven personalization for adaptive learning.

refining the application.

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3. Selwyn, N. (2016). Education and technology: Key issues and debates (2nd ed.). Bloomsbury.

4. Tapscott, D. (2009). Grown up digital: How the net generation is changing your world. McGraw-Hill.