The Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) community has warmly welcomed the seven key focuses and ten transformation agendas of the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT), which set the direction for the nation's higher education sector this year, as announced by the Minister of Higher Education, Dato' Seri Diraja Dr. Zambry Abd Kadir, in his recent New Year address.

UMS Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Datuk Dr. Kasim Hj. Mansor, stated that the 2025 New Year address by Zambry reflects his attentiveness to the voices of academics who seek clear and fair policies on issues such as lecturer promotions and the need to establish an evaluation mechanism for seconded or loaned officers.

“These issues are critical to ensuring the inclusive and fair career progression of academic staff.

“UMS fully supports the Higher Education Minister’s call, in line with our efforts to empower the university community as the heartbeat of KPT’s vision, ‘The Brain of the Nation.’

“The University-Industry-Community collaboration suggested by the ministry will also be a primary agenda in our higher education planning,” he said.

Prof. Kasim’s statement was echoed by the Dean of the Centre for the Promotion of Knowledge and Language Learning (PPIB), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lai Yew Meng, who emphasized that KPT's direction this year is a well-structured, holistic, inclusive, balanced, and visionary strategic plan.

“The key focus areas and transformation agenda reflect the ‘3C’ principle – Change, Continuity, and Consolidation – which aims to drive and strengthen the higher education agenda in addressing the increasingly VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous) world.

“As the Dean of PPIB, I am particularly interested in Program 3 under Focus 5: Governance and Leadership, which aims to enhance General Studies (MPU) subjects offered at PPIB.

“This agenda aligns with the goals and aspirations of the National Education Philosophy and reflects KPT's commitment to ensuring that higher education remains anchored to its ‘True North,’ meaning its fundamental purpose in sustaining the human element amidst rapid global transformations,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Dean of the Faculty of Computing and Informatics (FKI), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Hanafi Ahmad Hijazi, pointed out the significant emphasis on digital technology mastery, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), highlighted in two of the seven focus areas.

“Developing talent proficient and ethical in AI, both as creators and users, is critical to keeping up with the rapid advancements and global competition in AI adoption.

“The strategic direction also focuses on AI application development in higher education, not only in teaching and learning but also in operations.

“This initiative positions KPT as a leader in AI adoption within government agencies, leveraging the ministry’s extensive expertise,” he noted.

UMS Registrar, Luqman Ridha Anwar, commended the address for providing a clear roadmap to further elevate the excellence of higher education institutions. Similarly, the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSK), Prof. Dr. Asmady Idris, viewed the minister’s message as perfectly aligned with national educational aspirations and an essential guide to navigating global challenges.

Senior Lecturer at FSSK’s Communication Program, Dr. Haryati Abdul Karim, also responded positively to the address.

“I am pleased that issues concerning lecturers, such as workload and promotions, were highlighted in the minister’s speech.

“This shows that the minister is receptive and attentive to the concerns of academic staff,” said Haryati.

UMS Student Representative Council (MPP) President, Yusuf Naim Muhammad Idris Lutfi, echoed the sentiment, expressing confidence that the higher education roadmap will develop holistic human capital, particularly at UMS.

“As students in the post-normal era, it is crucial to cultivate well-rounded and balanced human capital.

“Therefore, MPP UMS urges all students to support the government’s vision in fostering a credible, industry-competitive, and lifelong learning society.

“Student support and active participation are key to realizing this aspiration for a brighter future for the nation,” said Yusuf.

Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and the Sabah State Archives Department have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate in research, education, and the management and preservation of Sabah's heritage resources.

The MoU was formalized during a signing ceremony held today at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSK), UMS.

The Dean of FSSK, Prof. Dr. Asmady Idris, representing UMS Vice-Chancellor Prof. Datuk Dr. Kasim Hj. Mansor, signed the document on behalf of UMS, while the Sabah State Archives Department was represented by its Director, Shirley Sion.

The signing ceremony was also witnessed by the Director-General of Sabah State Public Service, Datuk Zainudin Aman.

Earlier, Asmady when reading the text of the UMS Vice-Chancellor’s speech, stated that the collaboration is crucial as it will allow UMS students to access various resources that enrich their knowledge and understanding of Sabah's history and heritage.

"The Sabah State Archives Department plays a significant role in preserving and managing the documentation of our state's heritage, particularly in history and archiving.

"Through this agreement, it is hoped that both parties can implement several initiatives, such as joint research programs to facilitate studies on Sabah's history and culture and produce high-quality academic writings.

"UMS and the Sabah State Archives Department can also strengthen educational programs through collaborations on seminars, workshops, and exhibitions to raise public awareness about the importance of record and heritage preservation," he said.

He added that the collaboration is expected to promote the exchange of expertise and knowledge between UMS academic staff and Sabah State Archives officers, ultimately benefiting both parties.

Meanwhile, Zainudin, speaking at the event, emphasized that such cooperation is vital not only for the preservation of Sabah's historical treasures but also for the advancement of knowledge related to the state.

"This partnership will undoubtedly facilitate students and academics in accessing documents, photographs, and other resources for research purposes, benefiting various fields of knowledge.

"This will further enhance the role of the Sabah State Archives Department, not only as a repository of historical materials but also as a catalyst for the development of knowledge," he said.

Also present at the ceremony were FSSK Deputy Dean (Research and Innovation), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Syahruddin Awg. Ahmad; Sabah State Legal Officer, Habibah Abd. Rashid; FSSK Head of History Programme, Dr. Eko Prayitno Joko; and FSSK Head of Administrative, Norhanieyati Norhaizat.

The Faculty of Business, Economics, and Accountancy (FBEA) Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) concluded a remarkable 2024 by participating in the Global Convergence Capstone Design Programme held at Hannam University, South Korea.

With the theme “Carbon Neutrality,” the program emphasized academic excellence, industry engagement, and cultural exchange.

The UMS delegation, led by the Head of International Mobility Programme, Datu Razali Datu Eranza, included FPEP Senior Deputy Registrar, Awina Kamis; Head of International Business Programme, Dr. Nur Aleysa Chew Tze Cheng; and FPEP staff member, Arnah Sanuddin.

They were warmly welcomed by LINC 3.0 Project Director, Prof. Gu-Hwan Won, who underscored the importance of global collaboration in education during their meeting.

More than 25 participants from UMS and Hannam University took part in the program, which featured various lectures on carbon neutrality and global business trends. Highlights included Datu Razali’s talk on “Future-Proofing Workplaces: Carbon Neutrality and Global HR Trends,” Prof. Chen Hong’s lecture on “Export and Import,” and Dr. Nur Aleysa’s presentation on “Carbon Neutrality in International Business.”

The program also included industrial visits to innovative Small and Medium Enterprises such as PumpCare, which focuses on sustainable energy operations; Water Genesis; and the Daejeon City Subway Organization, offering participants insights into sustainable practices and the latest technologies.

Additionally, participants joined Korean cultural workshops, traditional food-making activities, and the “Sabah-Daejeon Cultural Night,” which fostered closer ties between the two institutions.

The program concluded with special lectures by JeuDérm CEO, Tatyana Jeon and Professor Dr. Gilbert M. Tumibay from Woosong University.

Meanwhile, FPEP Dean, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Rahimie Abd Karim, expressed gratitude to Hannam University for organizing the program.

He also commended the efforts of key contributors, including FPEP lecturers Assoc. Prof. Mat Salleh Ayub and Datu Razali, as well as Hannam University’s Prof. Peter Lee, for their collaboration and commitment to the program’s success.

“This program not only addresses global issues like carbon neutrality but also builds strong academic and cultural bridges.

“It also reflects FPEP’s dedication to advancing global academic excellence,” Rahimie said.

In other developments, FPEP was once again recognized as the recipient of the Most Active Mobility Programme Award for the eighth consecutive year, while Prof. Peter Lee received a special commendation from South Korea’s Ministry of Education for his contributions to international academic collaboration.

The Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Prof. Datuk Dr. Kasim Hj. Mansor, emphasized that civility and a progressive mindset should be central to every effort in driving the university's agenda for excellence.

In facing the challenges of the upcoming year 2025, he stated that the UMS community must uphold a core value as its foundation: civility.

“Civility is not merely about politeness; it is about our respect for knowledge, our fellow human beings, and our responsibilities to society.

“While strengthening our conscience with civility, we must also embrace a growth mindset.

“Civility shapes the foundation of our values, while a growth mindset drives us to continuously grow, learn from experiences, and view challenges as opportunities for advancement,” he said.

He conveyed this message in his New Year 2025 address, published on UMS’s official social media platforms.

According to Kasim, within the university ecosystem, a growth mindset means that members of the university community should not fear trying new things, learning from mistakes, and pushing beyond their limits.

“Academics must hone the minds of students, not merely delivering facts but also instilling courage to think, question, and aspire to greatness.

“You are the guiding lights, illuminating uncharted paths for students, pointing the way but not enforcing choices. This responsibility is an act of benevolence, a lasting contribution across generations.

“Students look up to you as role models; therefore, show them that intellectual strength begins with civility, and wisdom emerges from patience,” he said.

He added that university administrators must ensure smooth operations so that all campus members can perform their roles effectively.

“You are the guardians of the system, ensuring that policies and procedures are executed effectively, and every decision you make has a significant impact on the university’s progress.

“Your contributions are the lifeblood of the university, making it a place where intellectual excellence and human values converge,” he stated.

Kasim highlighted that in 2025, UMS will continue to strive for excellence and empower its ecosystem based on five guiding lenses toward achieving UMS’s vision of excellence.

He concluded his address by urging the UMS community to step into 2025 with unity and a strong collective spirit to achieve shared aspirations.