Electronic waste (e-waste) is growing in an alarming rate and is a worrying trend as it would bring adverse impact on society and the environment.

Thus, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) in collaboration with the Recycle Community Malaysia (RCOMM) Borneo Centre took a proactive step by organising an e-waste campaign to create awareness among students.

Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah, Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun said, Malaysia might face a serious problem if e-Waste was not systematically managed.

“Every year electronic producers profit from their products. I think it’s time the government formulate policies that producers are to be responsible for those goods,” he stressed when met after the opening ceremony of the campaign.

Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor of UMS, Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd. Harun Abdullah said, the awareness campaign was the first step for this EcoCampus university to address the problem of e-Waste dumping in future.

“This cooperation programme between UMS and RCOMM in addressing the issue of e-Waste dumping would create a sustainable community in general,” he said. His speech was read by the Dean of the School of Engineering and Information Technology, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rosalam Sarbatly.

Also present at the function was the Secretary-General, Miza Pawan Chik. – FL

 

By Faezah Mohamad Dun

 

TUESDAY, 08 OCTOBER – Staff and students of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) welcome the initiative by this EcoCampus university in creating an electronic waste (e-Waste) disposal within the university.

A lecturer from the Science and Technology Preparatory Centre (PPST), Sitty Nur Syafa Bakri when met said, the initiative was timely to increase the awareness among UMS staff and students to not take lightly electronic wastes that can leave a negative impact on UMS community.

Assistant Administrative Officer of the School of International Tropical Forestry, Kenny Uwai said that the move was proper to ensure electronic wastes in the university would be managed in an orderly and systematic way.

Meanwhile, PPST student, Scott Carlton Zerah told Chancellery Media that the existence of e-Waste in UMS was worthwhile and able to prevent pollution that can be detrimental to health.

To ensure the success of the programme, UMS will place recycle bins for e-Waste disposals at strategic places in each school and will be collected by licensed companies periodically.

The launching ceremony was done by the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun at UMS Library Auditorium this morning. – FL

 

By Salbinous Saribun

   
                                                                                                                                                                   Chancellery Department

TUESDAY, 08 OCTOBER – Centre For the Promotion of Knowledge and Language Learning (PPIB), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Welfare and Recreation Club (KARIB) Committee Members took the initiative to collect contributions throughout October to be channelled to the fire victims of Kg. Numbak.

The Chairman of KARIB, Budi Anto Mohd Tamring said, contributions received were foodstuff and clothing which were sent through Media Division, Chancellery Department UMS to the Kg. Numbak fire victims who are now taking shelter at the Menggatal Community Hall.

“We hope to continue with the efforts of collecting contributions especially from staff of PPIB,” he said when handing over the contributions to the Dean of PPIB, Prof. Dr. Vincent Pang.

The contributions also involved PPIB staff of Labuan International Campus and Sandakan branch. – FL

 
By PPIB and Salbinous Saribun
Photo: Rudie Adie Razak, PPIB

 
                                                                                                             Chancellery Department

MONDAY, 07 OCTOBER – About 25 students from The School of Psychology and Social Work (SPKS) Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) exercised their duty in social work with the Kg. Numbak fire victims.

Moral support and psychological help from the students and staff of SPKS helped eased the victims’ burden who are now placed at the Menggatal Community Hall as a temporary shelter.

A student who only wanted to be known as Nur said, even though the contributions might not be enough but she and her course mates wanted to share the burden suffered by the fire victims.

“We hope that all staff and students of SPKS could be with us today and empathise with the victims who clearly need our assistance besides receiving help in the form of goods,” she said.

When asked on the aid given, Nur said that in doing social work we should not expect anything in return or being appreciated, but that would be the measure of sincerity.

The fire which occurred last Tuesday had left 74 families homeless and now placed at the Menggatal Community Hall. - FL

 

By Faezah Mohamad Dun

 

  Chancellery Department