MONDAY, 10 JUNE – The Sepak Takraw Championship among Schools in Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) 2013 was held recently. The Championship which was organised by the Sports Centre UMS among others was to scout for new talents besides acting as a platform to produce healthy and competent students.

The Championship had realised their dream of becoming champions for the School of Education and Social Development (SPPS) when they successfully won all competitions. The final competition saw SPPS up against the School of Arts Studies (SPS) where both groups put up a stiff fight which continued till the third set. However, luck was on SPPS’ side when they won 21-13 in the first set, lost 20-22 on the second set but won again 15-10 in the deciding set. They were crowned champion whilst SPS the first runner-up. Third placing went to the School of Social Sciences (SSS).

UMS Sepak Takraw coach, Ahirunnisham Ahmad when met expressed his pride with the achievement shown by each players at the championship.

“I hope that this championship would continue to bring the sepak takraw sports to a higher level until international level,” he urged. Among the key success stories of SPPS were booster shots and guidance by their lecturers namely Pathmanathan K. Suppiah, a specialist in the study of motor and Hasnol Noordin, a Sport Psychology specialist besides Dr. Mohamad Nizam Nazarudin who helped in physical fitness.

A total of 10 schools of this EcoCampus University took part in the championship which was held at UMS Sports Complex. – FL

Source: Sports Science Programme, SPPS
                                                                                                                                 Information and Media Section, Corporate Relations Division

FRIDAY, 07 JUNE – Student Residential College Cemerlang Dinamik (CD) Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) had recently organised a student rural experience (SIRINTIS 1/2013) at Kampung Limau-Limauan, Kudat. The three day programme was done with the aim of giving opportunities to students in gaining experience outside of campus life and to taste for themselves the way of life with their foster families.

The programme was officiated by the College Advisor Fellow, Dr. Mohamad Nizam Nazarudin. In his speech, he urged all participants to assist their foster families by using their knowledge and skills learned at the university. He also hoped that this programme would be continued in future. Also present at the ceremony were the Village Head of Kampung Limau-Limauan, Tuan Shariff Idriss Sharif Afiq, sponsors and villages.

The programme was the first of its kind organised by this EcoCampus University and a way to produce students who are competitive with strong mental and physical abilities. It also acted as a link to build close rapport with the community there in line with the concept of student-community relations.

Indirectly this programme fuels the spirit of the villagers especially the young generation to continue their studies to the ivory tower besides giving them a glimpse of the life of a university student. Besides accepting foster children, each family participating in the programme also received kitchen utensils.

Kampung Limau-Limauan is located in the Kudat district and is strategically located near the sea to facilitate the search for sea produce and for land transport. – FL

Source: Kolej CD, UMS

                                                                                                                                  Information and Media Section, Corporate Relations Division

MONDAY, 10 JUNE – A delegation called Jejak Sakura Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) 2013 was conducted recently to universities around Tokyo, Japan. The delegation headed by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Student Affairs and Alumni, Assoc. Prof. Datuk Dr. Hj. Kasim Hj. Md. Mansur was also participated by a Senior UMS Lecturer, Dr. Khairul Anuar Mohamad and five UMS Student Representative Council (MPP) members.

At the first visit, the delegation visited the library, lecture halls, sports complex and students dormitories of the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (TUFS) campus accompanied by the university’s officer, Matsushita Daisuke. Besides touring interesting places, the delegation from this EcoCampus University also attended talks on the university’s education and researches by the Director of TUFS Academic Affairs Director, Prof. Dr. Miyazaki Koji and the TUFS Head of the Malay Language Programme Director, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Soda Naoki.

Dr. Soda voiced that the Malay Studies Programme was one of the programmes offered by TUFS. He said, eventhough there were many universities in Japan offering Malay Language Studies as an elective subject or second language, the country had only a few universities that offered Masters Programme in Malay Studies. He also reported that the Malay language had been taught in Japan since 1908.

The delegation was then brought to a Malay Language class to witness for themselves the session which was taught by a Malaysian, Assoc. Prof. Faridah Mohamed. All members of the delegation were fascinated to see the Japanese students studying diligently the Malay language besides being able to read and write in Jawi.

Datuk Dr. Hj. Kasim extended his invitation to students of the said programme to come and visit UMS and take part in the homestay programme so that they can learn the dialect, custom and culture of the communities in Sabah while enjoying the attractions that Kota Kinabalu has to offer.

MPP President, Mohd Juhar Harun who was also in the delegation was captivated by the excellent grammatical order and fluency of the Japanese students in speaking the Malay language. He hoped that a collaboration be made involving students of TUFS-UMS as an effort to help them delve further into the language.

The delegation then visited the Electro-Communications University (UEC), a science and technology driven university especially in the field of information and computer science, electronic enginering/mechatronic, physics and applied chemistry and Lazer Science. They were received by the International Relations Director, Prof. Dr. Hamano Nobuo and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Choo Cheow Keong.

The delegation was then given a talk on the foundation and programmes offered by the university. Datuk Dr. Hj. Kasim also expressed his interest in a joint collaboration with UEC in the field of science and engineering involving the exchange of academic staff and students in the field of education and research.

MPP members had a brief discussion with Malaysian students who were studying at UEC. According to Mohd Juhar, the sharing of ideas were important towards shaping a global thinking thus contributing to the success and development of the nation. At the end of the trip, the delegation visited other facilities including research laboratories in the field of robotics and material science. – FL

Source: Student Affairs Department, UMS
                                                                                                                           Information and Media Section, Corporate Relations Division

THURSDAY, 06 JUNE – The UMS Netball team emerged as champions at the recent Open Netball Championship held at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Sports Complex. The championship which was organised by the Netball Semester 2 Cocurriculum Club (Kokum) was participated by four teams comprising students and staff of this ecocampus university.

UMS Netball team had earlier trounced MASCOM team with a score of 18-1 followed by a win of 14-1 to Kokum team before defeating G-United with a score of 14-3. Armed with a winning streak, UMS Netball team which consist mainly Sports Science students was declared the overall winner. First runner-up was Kokum team and Second runner-up was G-United team. All winning teams received medals, a hamper each and certificate.

Meanwhile, UMS Netball cocurriculum coach, Fauziah Janau said she was satisfied with the smooth running of the programme organised by students under the netball course. She said it was a good start in increasing human development skills for their future.

The director of the programme, Nurul Ashikin Razak said that all efforts by the committee members who had worked tirelessly in making this championship a success had taught them invaluable experience in organising an event. She said this experience will be useful in facing a more challenging future.

The open netball championship is done at every end of semester in UMS. Its aim is to encourage students to make sport a culture and a healthy practice besides being a platform to nurture new talents for various championships such as the Malaysian University Sports Council (MASUM) and the Asean University Sport. – FL

Source: Nurmasaini Mazlan & Mollyanna Peter

                                                                                                                          Information and Media Section, Corporate Relations Division