Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), through its Borneo Marine Research Institute (BMRI), in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES), the French Embassy in Malaysia, and eight secondary schools across Sabah, successfully organized a beach clean-up event to promote environmental awareness and sustainable coastal management.

The participating schools included Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Elopura (Sandakan), SMK Tandek (Kota Marudu), SMK Sanzac (Kota Kinabalu), SM St. Michael (Penampang), SM Sains Sabah, SMK Pinawantai (Kudat), SMK Labuan, and SMK Tebobon.

Held at Likas Bay Public Park, the initiative brought together more than 150 volunteers comprising students and staff from UMS, officers from NRES, the Department of Mineral and Geoscience, the Department of Meteorology, and representatives from the French Embassy.

The joint clean-up effort resulted in the collection of approximately 60 bags of waste, weighing a total of 402 kilograms. Items collected included plastic debris, fishing nets, and other non-biodegradable materials.

Deputy Chief Secretary (Development) of NRES, Datuk Nor Yahati Awang emphasized the value of collective action.

“Our beaches are vital ecosystems and heritage sites. We are grateful for the support of UMS, local schools, and the French Embassy, which highlights the international concern for ocean health,” she said.

Dominique Husken-Ulbrich, representing the French Embassy, also acknowledged the commitment of the local community.

“France remains committed to supporting global and local initiatives that align with the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals. Today’s clean-up demonstrates the positive impact of cooperation between educational institutions and diplomatic partners.”

Dr. Madihah Jaffar Sidek, Head of UMS’ Marine Science Programme, expressed appreciation to all participants for their dedication to marine conservation.

She noted that the clean-up is part of a broader initiative to instill environmental stewardship and engage youth in conservation across Sabah.

The beach clean-up is one of several activities under BMRI UMS’ annual Ocean Celebration, held in conjunction with World Ocean Day, Coral Triangle Day, and World Sea Turtle Day.

TASHKENT - Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) is expanding its international partnerships following a successful academic visit to the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies (TSUOS) in Uzbekistan, led by UMS Vice-Chancellor, Professor Datuk Dr. Kasim Hj. Mansor.

The UMS delegation was officially received by Rector of TSUOS, Professor Rikhsieva Gulchekhra Shavkatovna, in a move that marks the beginning of a comprehensive collaboration between the two institutions in tourism, language education, and cultural exchange.

Kasim in a statement noted the strong alignment between both universities in tourism education, adding that the collaboration is timely.

“Sabah has earned global recognition as an eco-tourism destination.

Attractions such as Sipadan Island, Mount Kinabalu, and the Maliau Basin continue to draw visitors from Europe, China, Japan and Korea.

At UMS, our tourism programme prepares students to become future leaders in this vital and growing sector,” he said.

He added that, in terms of academic exchange, both universities agreed to organise a bilateral online seminar in the field of tourism, noting that both TSUOS and UMS offer well-established programmes in the area.

“The tourism programme at Tashkent University is among the best in the region, while UMS also has the same programme offered.

“The seminar will be done as soon as possible to ensure both academic staff can interact and collaborate—followed by matching funding and joint publications

“The seminar will be coordinated with Head of the Department of Tourism at TSUOS, Associate Professor Khusanov Chari Kadirovich,” he said.

Kasim also stated that the visit reflects UMS’s ongoing efforts to internationalise its academic programmes and reinforce Sabah’s positioning as a regional leader in tourism, biodiversity, and cultural engagement.

The visit began with a tour of the university’s museum, guided by Director of the High School of South Asian Languages and Literature, Dr. Nilufar Khodjayeva, who introduced the historical and academic significance of TSUOS in the field of Oriental studies.

A major outcome of the meeting was the agreement to initiate a student summer camp and academic mobility programme between the two universities, focusing on Community-Based Tourism (CBT). The initiative aims to deepen cross-cultural understanding and expose students to sustainable tourism practices.

The visit also included the signing of a Letter of Intent (LOI) to formalise the relationship between UMS and TSUOS, with Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) or Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) is expected to follow within three months.

Language collaboration was also a key part of the discussion, as TSUOS is among the few institutions in Central Asia offering Malay Language studies, led by Dr. Nilufar Khodjayeva.

The universities agreed to explore a visiting lecturer’s programme involving both TSUOS and UMS to promote academic mobility and cultural diplomacy.

Also present during the meeting were Head of the Institute of Languages and Literature of Eastern People, Dr. Mirzakhmedova Hulkar; and Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs and International Cooperation, Professor Dr. Abdullayev Nodir Abdulkhayevich, who expressed full institutional support for long-term collaboration.

Accompanying the Vice-Chancellor on behalf of UMS were Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Professor Ir. Dr. Rosalam Hj. Sarbatly; UMS Registrar, Luqman Ridha Anwar; and Director of the Chancellery Office, Hasmi Hashim.

Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) has proudly elevated Malaysia’s academic diplomacy through the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Almetyevsk State Technological University (ASTU), one of Russia’s most advanced institutions in petroleum engineering and energy technologies.

The MoU was signed by UMS Vice-Chancellor, Professor Datuk Dr. Kasim Mansor, and Professor Dyakonov Alexander Anatolyevich, Rector of ASTU, in a symbolic ceremony held at ASTU’s campus in Almetyevsk, Republic of Tatarstan.

The collaboration signals a new era of research, innovation, and technical training between Malaysia and Russia.

This historic engagement comes in direct alignment with Malaysia’s recent high-level presence in Kazan, led by Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Minister of Higher Education, Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr. Zambry Abd Kadir, who both participated in the XVI Kazan International Economic Forum: Russia–Islamic World earlier this month.

Zambry’s role as an invited panelist at the Kazan Education Forum further affirms Malaysia’s growing voice in the global academic and TVET discourse.

Kasim said the UMS-ASTU MoU is a concrete follow-up to that engagement, reflecting the Minister’s foresight in positioning Malaysia as a serious player in international higher education partnerships, especially in critical fields such as energy, sustainability, and advanced petroleum technologies.

“We are deeply honored to translate the strategic intent of our national leadership into meaningful academic collaboration.

“This partnership is not just about MoUs on paper. It is about unlocking mutual potential, driving innovation, and preparing our future engineers and researchers for global impact,” he said.

Kasim said, the MoU sets a clear roadmap for joint research initiatives, technical training programs, staff and student mobility, development of TVET models for the oil and gas sector, and academic-industrial collaborations through special workshops and conferences.

“This partnership underscores Malaysia’s commitment to global excellence in education, led by the Ministry of Higher Education’s transformative agenda.

“UMS’s achievement in Russia is not only a win for the university but a proud moment for the nation, reflecting how far Malaysian institutions can go when empowered by visionary leadership,” he said.

The UMS delegation, hosted warmly in Kazan and Almetyevsk by ASTU’s International Affairs Office led by Camilla Igonina, was given a full tour of ASTU’s world-class facilities, including VR-integrated drilling simulators, hydraulic systems, core sample analysis labs, and a uniquely designed interconnected practical training campus.

The visit was guided by Associate Professor Vasilenko Yury Valeryevich, ASTU’s First Vice-Rector.

Representing UMS were Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Professor Ir. Dr. Rosalam Hj. Sarbatly; Registrar, Luqman Ridha Anwar; Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Abu Zahrim Yaser; Head of Mechanical Engineering, Dr. Mohd Kamel Wan Ibrahim; Head of Oil and Gas Engineering, Dr. Norfazliana Abdullah and Director of the Chancellory Office, Hasmi Hashim.