As part of the Threads of Innovation project, Jay Thakkar and Rishav Jain. presented their work at the international confluence Craft, Community & Tourism: Practices, Partnerships, and Possibilities in Sarawak, Malaysia. Hosted by Society Atelier Sarawak in collaboration with the Sarawak Craft Council, CEPT University, and NTNU Norway, the event brought together practitioners, educators, policymakers, and community leaders to explore the intersections of craft, cultural heritage, tourism, and design futures.

The forum featured an esteemed group of speakers, including Jay Thakkar (CEPT University), Robert Basuik (Borneo Adventure), Edric Ong (Asia Pacific Craft Alliance), Diana Rose (Sarawak Craft Council), Rishav Jain (CEPT University), Dr. Poline Bala (UNIMAS), Tua Kampung Joda of the Anah Rais Bidayuh community, and Jane Lian Labang (Sarawak Cultural Village), alongside distinguished chairs and cultural leaders from across Sarawak and beyond.

The visit also included engagements with longhouses, craft villages, and cultural centres across Sarawak, fostering exchange with local communities and learning from diverse making practices and living knowledge systems. These interactions offered valuable insights into community-led heritage preservation, craft economies, and the role of cultural tourism in shaping sustainable and inclusive design futures.