A young entrepreneurs group are seeking to form collaborations with Universiti Malaysia Sabah's (UMS) Institute of Biotechnology and Research to explore opportunities to create new industries in Sabah.

The Sabah Young Business and Industry leaders Network (Sybil), led by its chairman James Wong Kein Peng, met with UMS researchers and exchanged insights and ways to develop various industries including food security enhancement, agrifood industry, cosmetics and skills training opportunities, among others.

"At Sybil, our goal is to identify research, innovative ideas and expertise that can generate new opportunities and commercial ventures for business owners in Sabah," said Wong during the visit to the institute.

During the discussion, UMS researchers presented their expertise, technology solutions, knowledge and identified diverse potential areas for project collaborations such as tissue culture, biofertilisers, biomass processing, aquaculture, biofuels, microalgae tech, workshops and training opportunities.

Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) has identified five strategic lenses aimed at driving the university's excellence in fulfilling its vision and mission.

These five lenses include talent development, strengthening research, innovation, and commercialization, knowledge transfer and sharing, internationalization, and enhancing the enabling ecosystem.

According to UMS Vice Chancellor, Professor Datuk Dr. Kasim Mansor, the talent development perspective focuses on two main activities: world-class academic programs and student development.

For the second lens, ten strengthening activities will be implemented to accelerate excellence in research, innovation, and commercialization.

These activities include the creation of ten living labs, increasing publication excellence, and enhancing research clusters.

The third lens, knowledge transfer and sharing, reflects UMS's significant responsibility to empower the community and industries through knowledge-sharing programs.

“This is a crucial value-add as research outcomes and knowledge are returned in forms that benefit society and industry,” he said.

For the fourth lens, Internationalization, UMS aims to enhance the university's global competitiveness, strengthen partnerships with international institutions, and expand student mobility programs.

The final lens, the Enabling Ecosystem, refers to supportive mechanisms that contribute to the efficiency and effectiveness of management in achieving the university's goals. For UMS, this includes financial sustainability, governance and service efficiency, enhanced digital technology, and a sustainable campus.

During the event, a luxury book titled Kembara Antartika: Pengalaman melalui Penyelidikan was launched to commemorate UMS's 30th anniversary this year. The book highlights the Antarctic journey of UMS researcher Professor Dr. Justin Sentian, who conducted a study on climate change titled Tropospheric Ozone Variations and Halocarbons in the Antarctic Peninsula under Extreme Weather Conditions, which has been recorded in the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR).

The Early Childhood Education Program (PAKK) under the Faculty of Psychology and Education (FPP) at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) recently hosted the ‘Fun Day Kids 2023’ program, aimed at raising public awareness about children's rights.

According to FPP Deputy Dean for Student and Alumni Affairs, Dr. Roslee Talip, the program also provided an opportunity for UMS students to organize events involving external parties.

“This program helps students foster leadership skills, time management, teamwork, and collaborative efforts to ensure the program's success,” he stated.

Dr. Roslee emphasized that children must achieve holistic, integrated, and balanced development across three key domains: cognitive, affective, and psychomotor.

“Children should also be educated on safety measures in various settings. Sexual education empowers children with essential knowledge and protects their rights.

“This program represents a commendable effort by UMS students to promote social awareness among children, instilling values of unity, cooperation, and interpersonal interaction while shaping their character,” he elaborated during his speech at the event's opening ceremony held at UMS recently.

The program saw participation from 50 children from Tabika KEMAS Bolong Baru A and Baru B in Tuaran, Sabah, as well as 32 PAKK UMS students.

Present at the event were PAKK Program Head Dr. Juppri Bacotang, Associate Professor Dr. Abdul Said Ambotang, and Saturia Amiruddin.

Highlights of the program included aerobics sessions, telematches, coloring activities, and a talk on Reproductive and Social Health Education (PEERS) for children, delivered by Prisca Caroline Pius, Principal of Tadika Elit Ceria Q-Dees Putatan.

Global Industry - Academia Cooperation Collaboration (GIACC) mobility program to Hannam University, South Korea which involved lecturers and students from Faculty of Business, Economics and Accounting (FBEA) of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) could strengthen strategic collaboration between both universities.

FBEA Mobility Coordinator, Datu Razali Datuk Datu Hj. Eranza said, GIACC is one of the mobility cooperation activities carried out by FBEA through the Entrepreneurship Research and Development Unit (UPPPK), the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) FBEA and the FBEA Mobility Program, with HNU, which based on the approach of HNU's Capstone Design credit program.

“This program is a return visit to appreciate the 16 members of Hannam University consisting of eight professors and eight students who visited UMS in December last year.

“Such cooperation provides platform for students and lecturers to share experiences and exchange views on Malaysian and South Korean international business management,” he said.

He said this in a statement in conjunction with the UMS delegation's visit to HNU which started yesterday.

Datu Razali noted that, HNU-UMS Capstone Design Manager, Professor Peter Lee Jae Myeong who coordinated the visit has planned various programs of lectures, industry visits and group work.

“The GIACC program based on Capstone Design really encourages and trains students in international business, based on different backgrounds and experiences.

“Through such programs, students and lecturers can study and establish international relations not only with academic strategic partners, but also include industry involvement.

“As a result of this program, the faculties at both universities will be able to increase competency in teaching and learning, which will produce students who think critically and holistically,” he said.

Datu Razali added that, HNU’s Director of Leaders in Industry-University Cooperation 3.0, Professor Dr. Won Gu Hwan when welcomed the program participants from UMS expressed his gratitude for the visit held this time and hoped that more visits would be made in the future, from time to time.

“The mobility meeting discussion hopes that universities and industry partners in Daejon, South Korea and Sabah will continue to provide support to make the GIACC Capstone Design HNU and UMS successful in the future.

“HNU is expected to visit UMS in June 2024, which will be joined by professors, lecturers, and students,” he said.

Besides Datu Razali, also involved in the programme Director of AACSB, Rosle Mohidin and seven FBEA students.