THURSDAY, 16 MAY – 143 Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) staff and students donated blood at the Blood Donation Campaign which was held at UMS Mosque recently. The campaign was conducted for three days and organised by the Islamic Affairs and Mosque Unit UMS, UMS Health Care Centre and Bursar Staff Club with the cooperation of Baitulmal Corporation Sabah.

According to a statement issued by the secretariat of the organiser, the blood donated during the programme which was attended by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd. Harun Abdullah will be channelled to Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) to provide supplies to their blood bank.

Besides donating blood, the campaign had also successfully collected eight boxes of used clothings which was handed to the Baitulmal Corporation Sabah and was distributed to those in need. Religious talks were also held during the campaign entitled ‘Islamic Medicine’ which was delivered by Ustaz Yusri Sumin. Ustaz Issraq Hj. Ramli had also presented a talk on the ‘Importance of Charity’.

In the statement, the organising secretariat voiced their hope that campaigns such as this would continue to be organised every year in efforts to help the blood bank of QEH. At the same time, the statement also stated that the campaign had given a huge impact on the students and the public within UMS staff to always appreciate their health and to inculcate the caring nature of doing good.

Throughout the campaign, four counters were opened which were Islamic Treatment, Free Check-ups, Baitulmal Corporation Sabah and Book Sales. – FL

Source: Islamic Affairs and Mosque Unit
                                                                                                                                             Information and Media Section, Corporate Relations Division

TUESDAY, 14 MAY – A delegation comprising 12 staff from the Corporate Relations Division (BPK) Universiti Malaysia Sabah visited the Sabah Museum and State Archive today. The delegation led by BPK’s Curator, Mohd. Hilmey Saili was done to strengthen rapport and seek ways to improve the university’s museum.

The delegation was received by Caroline Mosigil, the Public Relations Officer of the Museum Department who also brought the delegation to some interesting places around the museum. Besides touching on the exhibits and historical artifacts, she also brought the delegation to a handicraft exhibition which was held at the Heritage House Phase 2. The delegation was amazed with the beauty of the museum which has done some changes through some innovation.

In the afternoon, the BPK delegation then visited the State Archives to get a first hand glimpse on how the organisation kept and maintain archived materials in order to remain lasting throughout the generations. The delegation was warmly welcomed by the state archive staff who then brought them to watch a video presentation on the Japanese occupation which was then known as the Tapioca Era.

Before that, the BPK staff were given a talk on the function of the State Archive and were later brought to some places to witness the process of record keeping and the restoration of documents to keep from being attacked by fungus. Later, the delegation was then served with light refreshment before heading back to UMS. The one day visit was also joined by the Acting Head of BPK, Azmi Jumat and the Head of Information and Media Section, Salbinous Saribun. - FL

Source: Salbinous Saribun
                                                                                                                          Information and Media Section, Corporate Relations Division

WEDNESDAY, 15 MAY – Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Labuan Financial Services Authority (Labuan FSA) today.

The MoU was an extension to the cooperation which was signed in June 2000 thus increasing the scope of cooperation between the two partners. At the same time, the MoU was to strengthen various other cooperation including their management training programme in the ‘Smart Partnership Programme’.

Since 2000, various cooperation was done between the two partners. Among them were Labuan FSA which had contributed in the development of new curriculum by taking part in the tutorial programmes with UMS students. They also support UMS students through incentives given to excellent students giving them a boost to continue with their encouraging achievement till the highest level.

As part of their career development initiatives, UMS will help facilitate the executive programmes offered to improve the skills and present workforce efficiency of Labuan FSA.

UMS was represented by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd. Harun Abdullah and the Registrar, Datuk Abdullah Hj. Mohd. Said; while Labuan FSA was represented by its Director-General Ahmad Hizzad Baharuddin and Deputy Director-General, Danial Mah Abdullah.

Also present at the event were Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Student Affairs and Alumni UMS, Assoc. Prof. Datuk Dr. Hj. Kasim Hj. Md Mansur; member of the Enforcement Board Labuan FSA, Zainul Abidin Abdullah and UMS member of the Board of Directors, Prof. Dr. Marcus Jopony. – FL

                                                                                                                                      Information and Media Section, Corporate Relations Division

MONDAY, 13 MAY – The Student Literature Club (KARMA) had organised an Appreciation Nite called Malam Apresiasi Cinta 1 Malaysia (MAC1M) at the Ahmad Nisfu Theatre, School of Arts Studies, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) recently. With the theme ’50 Years in the Formation of Malaysia,’ MAC1M whose aim is to increase the spirit of love for the country, was officiated by the Head of Chancellery Department of UMS, No’man Hj. Ahmad.

In his speech, he said as believers students should increase the spirit of love for the country as whosoever confess that he is a believer should love his or her country too.

“The new generation is easily swayed thus history continue to penalise them because of their ignorant in history. Because they are not keen in history, do not want to keep abreast with history then they are cheated with false information. Being manipulated was the result of information whose rationality can be opposed through electronic medium such as Facebook, Twitter, blog, etc.,” he said.

He added that without taking into account certain information, society could be influenced even though it is purely rumour and propaganda. These could erode one’s love towards his or her nation and negative elements planted on their minds.

“Intellectual uses brain to assess and not simply storm their way in where the wrong becomes right and the right becomes wrong. This is a sign of destruction for human race,’ he said, citing the likes of Pak Pandir or ‘Father Folly.

Taking the example of the street demonstration which included students from higher learning institutions (IPT) against the Election Commission Sabah branch recently, No’man who also conducted public speaking for an hour said that the incitement from individuals and groups who wanted to see Malaysians divided was an act that should be avoided.

“IPT such as UMS is a tower of knowledge tasked to educate the young to be knowledgeable and to think rationally in whatever actions they are in. Do not act irrationally because at the end the young generation and future generation would feel the consequences,” he stressed at the event attended by 120 students wearing red as a symbolic act to be true believers.

Meanwhile, the programme director Astuti Asnawi said, the aim of the programme will not stop at just this event but will continue until state level to symbolically express the young generation’s desires the importance of blissfulness, harmony and peacefulness. Besides that, the theme ’50 years in the Formation of Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak’ will be the main strength and commitment to all UMS students and staff and the people of Sabah on the importance of sustaining the love for our country.

At the function, visitors were also entertained by poetry recital, songs and dikir barat. Among those who were invited were Awang Karim Kadir and Ampuan Awang with his presentation of a poetry entitled ‘Jebat Maafkan Aku’ (Forgive Me Jebat). Among the UMS students who collaborated in the poetry recital were those entitled Cinta Watan Tanda Iman, Bangsaku, Kitalah Tuan, Di Halaman Kembang Sepatu Ini, Selamanya Sejahtera Warga, and a song ‘Warisan’ popularised by Sudirman and Dikir Barat 1Malaysia. – FL

Source: Massaliniri Mohd. Tahir

                                                                                                                        Information and Media Section, Corporate Relations Division