The University Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Alumni Centre recently organized a hi-tea for about ISO alumni from around Kota Kinabalu.

The program was aimed to celebrate the spirit of love for alma mater and to create good networking among alumni.

Among those present were the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Student Affairs & Alumni) Associate Prof Dr Raman Nordin representing UMS Vice Chancellor, Prof Datuk Dr. Kasim Mansor, and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic & International) Prof Dr Shahril Yusof.

The event, which took place in a relaxed manner at the Chancellor's Hall Square near the UMS lake, succeeded in recalling the memories of some of the alumni who had gone through their studies.

Some of the alumni who were met during the ceremony thought that this kind of meeting program should be continued from time to time as a platform for them to meet and socialize with fellow alumni as well as university management and staff.

An alumnus from the Faculty of Education and Psychology, Mohd Rasmalyzan Abd Rashad said a program like this can be the best platform for alumni to share information and convey their views to the university management.

Mohd Rasmalyzan is the Chief Operating Officer of UOR Food Industries Sdn Bhd.

Another participant, Abdul Haidy Abdul Hamid from the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities in 2000, hopes that such a program can be held regularly so that the alumni can meet with fellow alumni, the management and the existing students. Abdul Haidy currently is administration head at UMS.

This opinion is also supported by Amir Shah Noor Ahmad, alumnus of the Faculty of Finance & International in 2006 who is working as a Diplomatic Administration Officer at MKN Sabah.

The alumni who attended the event were warmly welcomed by the director of the UMS Alumni Centre, Dr Arif Kamisan Pusiran and the staff of the Alumni Centre as hosts at the ceremony.

They were treated to a delicious evening meal and entertained by music from a busker who is also a UMS alumnus.

The Young Engineers Section of the Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEMYES) Miri branch had recently collaborated with Curtin University Malaysia's Faculty of Engineering and Science to host a Civitour' programme at the university.

The programme, which is an initiative by IEM-YES to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted aspects of engineering, was attended by 48 civil engineering students from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and their advisor, Sr Ts Dr Asmawan Mohd Sarman.

Also joining the programme were IEM-YES Miri branch chairman Francis Liaw Zhen Zhen; IEM Miri branch chairperson Ir Chong Boon Hui; Curtin academic Associate Professor Ir Wong Kwong Soon; Associate Prof Bridgid Chin Lai Fui, Ir Meheron Selowara Joo and Jameson Malang.

The Civitour programme involved workshop and guided tour to Curtin Malaysia's new Engineering Research Laboratories and Curtin Aquaculture Research Laboratories, offering the students a glimpse of the cuttingedge research being conducted at Curtin and their practical applications in engineering.

Liaw said the event allowed the participants to gain valuable insights into the ethical considerations essential to engineering practice, comprehend the regulatory frameworks governing engineering projects, and appreciate the pivotal role played by the IEM in the effective management of infrastructure.

"IEM-YES Miri is enthusiastic about facilitating enriching experiences for engineering students, fostering a deeper appreciation for the ethical dimensions of engineering and the broader societal implications of their futur e roles in the field," he remarked.

Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) has contributed 78 relief baskets to the victims of a fire in Kg. Tanjung Batu Laut Logpond, Tawau. The handover ceremony took place at the Tawau Sports Complex Hall.

The relief baskets, containing personal hygiene kits and basic necessities for welcoming the arrival of Ramadan, were provided through contributions from the UMS Hospital, the Centre for Investment, Endowment, and Waqf (CIEW), the UMS Islamic Centre, the Student Affairs Department (JHEP), UMS staff, and generous individuals.

The delivery of the donations was coordinated by the UMS Security Division, led by its Chief, Colonel (Kes) Abdul Talib Arifin; the UMS 4WD Volunteer Club (UMS 4WDVC), led by its President, Prof. Datuk Dr. D. Kamarudin D. Mudin; and HUMS, represented by Deputy Director of Management and Operations, Samsuidin Nurdin.

The donations were handed over by UMS Board of Directors member, Samasudin Yusop, and UMS Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International), Prof. Dr. Shahril Yusof, to the Tawau District Civil Defense Officer, Captain PA Japli bin Haji Siping, for distribution to all affected victims.

Among those affected by the incident on March 6 were two UMS students: first-year student of the Faculty of Business, Economics, and Accountancy (FPEP), Nur Syafiqah Amani binti Abri, and final-year student of the Faculty of Engineering (FKJ), Muhd Iqmal bin Hamsah.

Both students received financial assistance from JHEP to help ease their financial burdens.

It is hoped that this assistance will help alleviate the hardship faced by the fire victims, particularly with the approach of Ramadan.

The UMS community prays for strength and resilience for all victims as they navigate this difficult time.