FRIDAY, 28 JUNE – An international conference on Arts Presentation As A Creative Industry in Asia (PACIA) 2013 organised by the UMS School of Arts Studies which had registered 140 including participants from 10 different countries, would help in promoting Malaysia especially Sabah which is rich in art and culture resources.

Datuk Masidi Manjun, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah hoped that international activities such as this would be intensified to generate growth and income for industries such as tourism.

“The PACIA 2013 Conference is in line with the aim of promoting the country through its rich resources, which is culture and arts.  It is hoped that this conference would be able to produce a transformation for the Performing Arts in Sabah to attract not only locals but international tourists as well,” he said.  His speech was read by his representative, the Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah, Datuk Kamarlin Ombi at the opening ceremony of the 3^rd PACIA Conference 2013 at the 1Borneo Grand Ballroom.

He added that the government would assist in the improvement and the development of performing arts in Malaysia through some grants in the field of arts.

“Grants totalling up to RM4 million have been allocated to the country’s arts enthusiasts for the development of performing arts.  This allocation not only can alleviate the financial burden of local artists, but to also encourage the search for new talents in Malaysia,” he added.

UMS Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Internationalisation), Prof. Dr. Shariff A. K. Omang who represented the Vice-Chancellor of UMS, Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd. Harun Abdullah said the 3^rd PACIA Conference was a platform for the sharing of ideas from art enthusiasts which would generate the future of arts and culture in Malaysia especially in Sabah.  He added that the organising of this conference is in line with the university’s strategic plan to maintain excellence towards internationalisation.

“My hope is that this conference would be able to assist researchers, students and arts enthusiasts in exploring and conduct their researches relating to the creative industry to help uplift the standard of the country’s culture and arts into the world arena,” he said.

The 3 day conference also featured specialists in the Performing Arts and Culture; among them were Prof. Hatta Azad Khan, Prof. Tan Sooi Beng, Aida Redza, Prof. Ding Choo Ming and Prof. Jonathan Holmes as the main speaker. - FL

By: Mohd. Affzanizam Mohd. Amin
Photo: Ramdan Salleh Nain

                                                                                                              Information and Media Section, Corporate Relations Division
 

WEDNESDAY, 26 JUNE – For the development of seaweed in Malaysia, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) through the Seaweed Research Unit (UPRL) in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry, Fisheries Department Malaysia and the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority – FAMA) had taken a proactive step to organise a seminar on Entrepreneurship and Marketing of Seaweed Products Serie 1 for the year 2013.

With the theme ‘Towards the Development of Seaweed Industy and Intensifying Marketing’, this two-day seminar will present working papers from representatives of agencies involved.  Among them Agro Bank Berhad, Chamber of Rural Entrepreneurs Industry, Tawau Carrageenan (TACARA) Sdn. Bhd., Bogor Indonesia Agriculture Insitute, besides other presentations by UPRL.

Head of UPRL, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Suhaimi Md. Yasir said, the seminar had gathered all entrepreneurs and related agencies to share their knowledge and information on the opportunities offered by the government.

“We want the participants who attend this seminar to understand this industry management thoroughly from seedlings until the level of marketing,” he said.

“There are extensive opportunities in this industry such as food products, health, beauty and personal care besides seedlings, dried seaweed and premium seaweed.  This is an opportunity for entrepreneurs to generate income towards supporting the government’s move to turn Malaysia into a developed nation by the year 2020,” he further reiterated.

150 participants from around the nation attended the seminar which was held at the Hotel Grand Blue Wave, Shah Alam, Selangor to find out in more detail the opportunities on offer by this industry. - FL

By: Faezah Mohamad Dun
Photo: Musaab Umair

THURSDAY, 27 JUNE – World Ocean Day 2013 is able to create awareness to the public on the roles of ocean towards human lives, and the importance of supporting the care for ocean and protecting its ecosystem.

UMS Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd.  Harun Abdullah said that it was the community’s obligation to protect the ocean because it covers 71 percent of the earth’s surface and is the source of livelihood to human.

“The ocean is closely related to our everyday lives, no matter where we are.  We should appreciate and protect the ocean which gives different meanings to each and everyone of us,” he said.  His speech text was read by his representative, Prof. Dr. Felix Tongkul, the Director of the Research and Innovation Centre when officiating the World Ocean Day celebration at the Borneo Marine Research Institute (IPMB) at the Aquarium and Marine Museum, UMS.

He praised the efforts by IPMB in producing a bulletin on ‘The Ocean: Facts & View’ in conjunction with the celebration which begun on 8 June.

“I understand that this bulletin has all the facts on ocean and scientists’ views meant to stir serious minds and to put forward a strong message in protecting the ocean”.

“With UMS being an EcoCampus, activities such as this should be intensified because such effort runs parallel with the practice of sustainable within the campus, thus supporting the role of UMS EcoCampus,’ he added further.

Among some of the activities held in conjunction with World Ocean Day 2013 celebration was the launching of the bulletin ‘The Ocean; Facts & View’, official opening of the ‘Ocean Outreach Corner’ at the Marine Aquarium, essay writing competition with the theme ‘The Ocean That We Want’, and oath-signing ‘We Accept the Ocean As the Main Component of Earth System and Committed to Play the Role of Leadership for the Ocean That We Want for the Sake of the Present and Future Generations’. - FL

By: Mohd. Affzanizam Mohd. Amin
Photo: Yusdi Ismail, IPMB

TUESDAY, 25 JUNE – UMS through the Sports Science Programme, School of Education and Social Development (SPPS) is actively conducting programmes and activities which contribute to the development and progress of the sporting field, especially in Sabah.

An international conference on Sports Science organised by SPPS was held at the Auditorium, Postgraduate Studies UMS.  The three-day conference recorded 105 participants from within and outside the country, among them are Bangladesh, Egypt, Taiwan, Thailand and the Philippines.

The Minister of Youth and Sports Sabah, Datuk Tawfiq Datuk Seri Panglima Abu Bakar Titingan when officiating the ‘1^st UMS International Sports Science Conference’ (UISSCo) 2013' at the Sabah Oriental Hotel said, the initiative of a group of Sports Science lecturers in setting up a unit with certain Sabah government agencies, would be able to increase their performance in the sports championship, especially in the forthcoming Sukan Malaysia (SUKMA).

“I am happy with the smart partnership among UMS, Sabah National Sports Council (MSN), National Sports Institute (ISN) and sports associations; Sabah’s dream of becoming champion in the coming SUKMA games is achievable,” he said.

Meanwhile, UMS Vice-Chancellor Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd Harun Abdullah said the aim of organising UISSCo acts as a platform for researchers to network and disscuss their research and latest findings in the field of sports.  He added that UMS is committed to contribute towards development and the progression of sports in Sabah.

“UMS hopes that with the exchange of these ideas, sports in Malaysia would continue to improve, especially in Sabah.  A committee had been formed, consisting of UMS, Sabah National Sports Institute Satelite Centre, Sabah Sports Council and Sabah Sports Board to improve the performance of Sabah SUKMA athletes.  UMS hopes to contribute not only in improving the achievements of athletes in Sabah, but also towards the development and the flair of sports science, in Malaysia and the whole world,” he said.

This conference would see more than 50 working papers presented by sports science practitioners, among whom are Prof. Dr. Zahari Bin Taha (Sports Technology), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd. Khairi Zawi (Biomechanic), Prof. Dr. Jeff Coombes (Physiology Exercise) and Prof. Dr. Shaharudin bin Abdul Aziz (Sports Psychology). – FL

By: Mohd. Affzanizam Mohd. Amin
Photo: Suzeanywati Gasinin

                                                                                                   Information and Media Section, Corporate Relations Division