The Ministry of Higher Education has announced that an additional allocation of RM2 million will be provided to address the water problems at the main campus of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), here.

Its minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir saidthat RM1 million of the allocation will be used to fund the installation of pumps, allowing water from below to flow to higher ground within the university.

The remaining funds will be utilized to construct more water pipes around the campus, ensuring an adequate water supply for UMS citizens, particularly the students residing on campus.

These measures were identified as key concerns by UMS residents and were discussed during a meeting between Zambry and university students at the UMS main campus in Likas, today.

He said the allocation is in addition to the RM3 million previously announced by the Prime Minister to address the water problem at UMS.

Zambry expressed his hope that the implementation of the water supply improvement project at UMS will proceed swiftly for the benefit of all.

Furthermore, he mentioned the state government’s long-term plan to enhance water supply capacity in the state, and expressed his desire for UMS experts to contribute to the success of this mission

Pusat Kajian Bencana Alam (NDRC), Fakulti Sains dan Sumber Alam (FSSA), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) telah menerima kunjungan hormat daripada pihak Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Center (DPPC), Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Kuala Lumpur (UTMKL), baru-baru ini.

Pengarah DPPC, UTMKL, Dr. Khamarrul Azahari Razak yang mengetuai kunjungan tersebut berkata, sesi ini bertujuan meneroka persefahaman pintar antara pihak NDRC, UMS dan DPPC, UTMKL.

“Kunjungan hormat ini merupakan susulan daripada penglibatan NDRC sebagai rakan strategik dalam penganjuran bersama Program Minggu Sains dan Teknologi untuk Pengurangan Risiko Bencana dan Daya Tahan.

“Kunjungan ini juga bertujuan untuk meneroka peluang kerjasama dalam bidang pengurangan risiko bencana dan daya tahan serta memperkasa agenda pengurangan risiko bencana negara,” katanya.

Sementara itu, Pengarah NDRC, Prof. Madya Ts. Gs. Dr. Carolyn Melissa Payus yang mempengerusikan perbincangan dalam kunjungan hormat ini menyambut baik hasrat DPPC untuk menjalinkan kerjasama strategik dalam pengurusan bencana alam di Sabah.

“NDRC yang telah ditubuhkan sejak tahun 2006 ini merupakan focal point untuk semua penyelidikan di UMS berkaitan dengan bencana alam di Sabah.

“Diharapkan dengan adanya kerjasama seumpama ini akan dapat memberi peluang kerjasama yang lebih luas dalam bidang penyelidikan bencana.

“Oleh itu, kerjasama ini akan memantapkan lagi peranan serta penglibatan NDRC sebagai rakan strategik DPPC pada masa akan datang,” ujarnya.

Pusat ini merupakan pusat penyelidikan yang aktif dalam aktiviti-aktiviti melibatkan pengurusan dan pengurangan risiko bencana melalui penyelidikan dan program kesedaran awam termasuklah Program Kesedaran CBDRM iaitu pengurusan risiko bencana berasaskan komuniti di Sabah.

Hadir sama dalam kunjungan hormat ini, Timbalan Pengarah MET Malaysia, Sabah, Dr. Chai Mui Fatt; Felo Penyelidik Utama NDRC, UMS; Prof. Madya Ts. Dr. Ejria Saleh; Felo Penyelidik Bersekutu NDRC, UMS, Dr. Janice Lynn Ayog dan Pegawai Penyelidik NDRC; Eldawaty Madran.

Universiti Malaysia Sabah Hospital established a Child and Adolescent Mental and Physical Health (Champ) Centre.

UMS Vice Chancellor Professor Datuk Dr. Kasim Hj. Mansor said the centre provides services to children and adolescents with special needs in Sabah who have neurodevelopmental and behavioural issues.

“The characteristics of children and adolescents with special needs include autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), speech delays, learning difficulties and behavioural issues,” he said during the launching of the centre on Monday.

Kasim said with smart partnership and collaboration, the centre could become agent of change by building bridges of understanding, breaking stigma, and spreading awareness about children and adolescents with special needs by providing more specialised intervention and rehabilitation services systematically.

“Therefore, we should express our respect and highest appreciation to the pioneers, whether they have played a role in pioneering, establishing, building and filling the sustaining as well as those who are still struggling to create an inclusive society.

“Inclusivity is not just about acknowledging existence but also about providing equal support, opportunities, and gratitude for every individual, including those with special needs.

“In pursuing a more inclusive society, education plays a crucial role. It is important for us to create an environment where individuals with special needs can thrive, learn, and contribute meaningfully.”

“By fostering understanding and providing appropriate support, we can unlock the great potential that exists within each of these special needs groups.

“Therefore, let us help every child and youth with special needs to reach their maximum potential. Together, we are a force that can shape a world that is more empathetic and more understanding,” he said.

Meanwhile, hospital Director Professor Dr Helen Benedict Lasimbang said Champ aimed to provide a high-quality Play Therapy services.

“Play therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses games to communicate with children.

“Unfortunately, Sabah does not yet have a therapist who is certified in Play Therapy as a Certified Play Therapist. 

The centre hopes to meet the challenge through certification sponsoring to improve the expertise of therapists and offer high-quality Play Therapy services.

“Thus, to reach the expert level and ensure the implementation of interventions according to the set standards, continuous training is required under supervision to ensure sufficient exposure to therapists,” she said.

Champ is one of the niche areas established by Hums and the centre also collaborated with the Department of Psychiatry and Psychological Health, the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, and the Department of Paediatrics under the hospital.

From January to September of this year, the centre received visits from a total of 1,007 patients.

Pupils in Semporna district received a hands-on learning experience on turtle conservation during a programme organised by Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), recently.

The programme saw a total of 20 primary and secondary school students heading to the Bohey Dulang Island of Semporna, where they were given talks on turtle conservation and witnessed the release of hatchlings, among other educational activities.

UMS vice chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Kasim Mansor led his team of lecturers accompanied by Sabah Parks staff to the island, along with the students from SK Bangau-Bangau, SK Kg. Simunul, SMK Kabogan II, and SMK Datuk Panglima Abdullah.

“During the programme, the students heard information about turtle conservation and other marine species, especially those threatened by extinction.They also saw how hatchlings were released back into the ocean,” he said.

Looking at the beauty of Bohey Dulang, Kasim said the island has vast potential not only for tourism purposes but also for education, research and filming.

“For UMS, we are always keen to be part of any conservation and educational programmes,” he said.

Towards the end, he urged the students to make conservation of the environment a part of their lives and daily practices.

Kasim also encouraged them to develop interest in science related subjects so that they could in future become the protectors of flora and fauna.

He also launched the Edu-Tourism and Turtle Conservation Project organised by UMS and Sabah Parks during the event.