KOTA KINABALU: Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) has been entrusted to conduct a     study  on the effectiveness and accuracy of China's Covid-19 test kit.

The test kit is issued by a leading company based in Wuhan.

The study is a collaboration between the university and Sabah-China Commercial Chamber (SCCC) to assist in combating the current situation of the Covid-19 pandemic in the state.

SCCC secretary general Tan Kok Jyh, in a statement, said the test kit is different from the ones currently used to conduct Covid-19 screening.

The collaboration would further nurture research and development activities that can benefit the community.

"We are concerned about the situation in Sabah.

"In this regard, we have obtained a Covid-19 test kit from a company in China for study.

"UMS is the first university we are giving the test kit to because we know this university has enough capacity, equipment and expertise for this purpose," he said.

Tan presented the China-made Covid-19 test kit to UMS vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Taufiq Yap Yun Hin at the varsity's Medical and Health Sciences Faculty yesterday.

He noted such joint efforts formed with UMS would further strengthen the relationship between SCCC and the local university. In extending his appreciation, Taufiq said the varsity looked forward to this good collaboration especially when Sabah is badly affected by the pandemic.

"We in UMS are proud and honoured to be chosen to conduct this study," he said, adding that they hoped the collaboration would continue.

Source: https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2020/11/645029/ums-study-effectiveness-wuhans-covid-19-test-kit

THURSDAY, 27 AUGUST – A six member delegation representing Azman Hashim-UMS Gallery (GAH) of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) made a 3-day Working Visit to the World Culture Organisation (WCO), National Art Gallery in Kuala Lumpur, Bangkita Ceramic Studio, HOM Art Trans and the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia as part of their itinerary with strategic partners in Malaysia.

On arrival, the delegation led by the Director of GAH, Sarlona J. Gindug was welcomed by representatives from AmCorp Sdn Bhd led by Azmi Hashim, the Executive Chairman, for a short discussion. The delegation visited the World Culture Organisation (WCO) Art & Culture Gallery at Cheras, home of Miniature Culture on invitation by the founder, Foo Loke Kee, an accountant by profession and owns an accounting firm in Malaysia but does 100% handmade heritage arts mainly dough figurines because of his passion for this art. He also produces cultural diorama and has held repeat exhibitions in China and Malaysia. He set up this art and cultural centre in June 2015.

The delegation then moved on to meet with one of the most renowned and well-established artists in Malaysia, Associate Professor Awang Damit Ahmad, 64, at his office in Teluk Panglima Garang, Selangor.  Awang Damit as he is fondly called hails from Kuala Penyu, Sabah but have made Selangor home more than 20 years ago. Both parties held some discussions and exchange of ideas pertaining to visual art and its conservation and preservation.  The delegation was also taken to Bangkita Ceramic Studio adjacent to his office which is run by his son, Muhammad Iqbal Awang Damit, a ceramist who learned the art of ceramics at Universiti Teknologi Mara, Perak and Incheon , South Korea.

The delegation later visited HOM Art Trans, Kuala Lumpur, an independent art space run by Bayu Utomo Radjikin who hails from Tawau, Sabah. Bayu who is the director of HOMS and has been running his art space since 2007 shared his experiences and gave some suggestions and insights to the running of GAH.

The delegation made a short trip to the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia at Jalan Lembah Perdana, Kuala Lumpur and witnessed a vast display of architecture, quran & manuscript as well as India, China and Malay Galleries and learnt some inputs in the running of the Museum Shop.

The delegation last stop was at the National Art Gallery and was welcomed by the Director-General, Amerrudin bin Ahmad.  The group was given a briefing including exchange of ideas with UMS delegation and a tour of the Curatorial, as well as the Conservation, and Restoration Rooms at the Gallery and learnt a few facts regarding the subject-matter.

Also included in the delegation were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hj. Baharudin Haji Mohd. Arus, and Dr. Rafiq Idris, the Director of Centre for Investment, Endownment and Wakaf.

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MONDAY, 17 AUGUST - Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) held a registration and introduction session for new students of UMS in-house English language program, Progressive English Program (PEP).

According to UMS Vice Chancellor, Prof. Datuk ChM. Dr. Taufiq Yap Yun Hin, this is the sixth cohort and it will be conduct fully online for the first time, with a total of 24 students from China have attended and registered, and the duration of the program is for twenty one weeks.

“This PEP Program registration is the second program receiving their new batch of international students after UMS Foundation for Science and Technology which had their registration from the 3rd to 7th of this month.

“This is the 6th group since the PEP program was launched at UMS in August 2018.

“However, this program has gone through many improvements and evolutions over the year, with the first English language program was named the Intensive English Language Program (IELP) started in 2004 which conducted by the Centre for the Promotion of Knowledge and Language Learning.

“Then it is changed to the International Students' Foundation Program (ISFP) and has now been substantially improved and named the Progressive English Program (PEP),” he said.

Datuk Dr. Taufiq Yap added that, the emergence of the Covid-19 Pandemic which causes almost worldwide blockade of movement did not limit UMS from continuing the recruitment of international students by pursuing online studies and virtual learning platforms.

“Various adaptations of technology and applications have been made in promoting a more interactive and effective virtual academic learning platforms as the “new normal”.

“Although Remote Online Teaching and Learning may seem new to us all, UMS believes the younger generation are arguably digital natives, whom are able to easily adapt to such a digital transformation, with minimal hassle,” Datuk Dr. Taufiq Yap said.

He also noted that this sixth group of PEP program will be held virtually in terms of lectures, tutorials and final exams.

“After completing this program, students who pass any of the accepted language proficiency certificates will continue their studies at the undergraduate or postgraduate level at UMS.

“The university is also currently planning to introduce this program to other foreign countries in the future, since this programme right now focusing on recruitment from China student,” he said.

Besides the introductory session with Datuk Dr. Taufiq Yap, the 24 student involved also having the discussion and registration session with Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic and International), Prof. Dr. Rasid Mail; Director of the Centre for Internationalisation and Global Engagement (PPPG), Prof. Dr. Ho Chong Mun; PPIB Dean, Associate Professor Dr. Lai Yew Meng; and several lecturer.

FRIDAY, 14 AUGUST - Kampus Kita FM Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) with frequency of 91.1 FM, under the slot ‘Bersama Pakar Perubatan’ has brought in for the first time a medical student during the knowledge sharing session.

Hosted by Arnawih Ginsing, the radio show invited Shivendra A/L Ravi, a medical student from Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS), to shared his medical knowledge and perspective as a university student with a topic entitled ‘Ayuh Kawan-kawan, Mari Kita Tangani Stress sebagai Pelajar Universiti. 

According to Shivendra, the stress among students is unique and not the same from one student to another.

For example, he said someone who lives nearby will suffer less financial constraint compared to those who reside further.

“A student with an 'extrovert' personality is likely to fair better socially in contrast to an 'introvert' person.

“It is important to cope stress efficiently to ensure healthy mental state,’ informed Shivendra.

He also mentioned that two major ways that students could adopt in managing their stress are to invest time in passionate hobbies and lead a healthy lifestyle.

‘Diverting yourself away from the stress by doing activities that you love not only helps to get yourself away from the stress, but allows ample time for your body, mind and soul to rest and calm.

A well-rested physical and psychological states permit oneself to be focused and re-organise works, hence we are more disciplined and effective,’ added Shivendra.

He urged his peer colleagues to stay active, eat healthily and maintain sufficient quality sleep.

‘Serotonin, an emotional-controlled hormone is heavily influenced by the physical exercise, balanced diet and the amount of sleep, while disturbing these would affect this hormone production.

It is also important to maintain good relationship with friends and peers, as they are your trusted persons for you to express your concerns and fears,” Shivendra said.

He added that performing these coping mechanism are made feasible if oneself emphasises on time management.

‘I believe that one of the most basic skills that a student has to acquire is time management.

It is one of the most efficient techniques to remediate and reduce the level of stress,’ Shivendra said at the end of the talk.

This bold initiative was initiated through a collaborative effort by Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Heritage and the Department of Medical Education, FMHS.

Meanwhile, the Head of Department of Medical Education, FMHS, Dr. Fatimah Ahmedy explain that this bold initiative was initiated since 2018 through a collaborative effort by Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Heritage and the Department of Medical Education, FMHS.

 ‘This is a great platform for UMS to showcase our quality medical students, which aligned with the university vision, these medical students are moulded to be the next generation of doctors for the society.

“Hence training them as the peer health coaches under direct mentoring by the faculty would enhance their confidence towards that objective,’ said Dr Fatimah.

The radio programme producer, Norhazimah Radik also agreed that such approach allows positive promotion to the university and the radio show.

We believe this would garner more listeners especially from the younger generations as they feel more related while appreciate the expertise and knowledge shared in the radio talk,” Norhazimah concluded.