THE HAGUE, NETHERLAND - A delegation from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) led by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Datuk Dr. Kasim Hj. Mansor held bilateral talks with the Malaysian Ambassador to the Netherlands, PYT Datuk Nadzirah Osman, at the Malaysian Embassy in The Hague, recently.

The discussion focused on the strategic partnership between UMS and higher education institutions in the country in the fields of water resource management, smart agriculture, oil and gas and commercialization of products through synergistic cooperation between universities, government and industry.

According to Kasim, among the universities in the Netherlands that have been identified as potential strategic partners of UMS include IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, Leiden University and Delft University of Technology.

He said that the universities have strengths and advantages that can be a source of reference to UMS in their respective fields of expertise.

"IHE Delft Institute for Water Education has expertise in water resources management, Leiden University in smart agriculture research and biotechnology, and Delft University of Technology has produced various commercialization of products as a result of the research of their students and lecturers.

"Previously, UMS has had a relationship with the IHE Delft Institute for Water Education as early as 2012 and this university is actively conducting joint research with Leiden University to produce a grouper fish vaccine for food security purposes.

"We also hope that cooperation will be forged with Delft University of Technology since UMS has a strategic plan to develop its own commercialization hub to help university students commercialize products resulting from research and innovation," he said.

At the discussion, Nadzirah also shared about the role of universities in the Netherlands that contribute towards the successful commercialization of products through funds and facilities provided by the industry.

It is seen as an effort to increase the competitive level as well as guarantee the sustainability of a product published by the university for the companies involved.

The bilateral discussion was also attended by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and Innovation) of UMS, Professor Ir. Dr. Rosalam Hj. Sarbatly and the Head of the Chancellery of the Malaysian Embassy to the Netherlands, Dr. Mohd. Norhisyam Mohd Yusof.

Borneo Marine Research Institute (BMRI) and Faculty of Science and Natural Resources (FSSA) of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) have dispatched a group of eight students of the final year Aquaculture Degree Program to Japan for industrial training in aquaculture.

Head of Aquaculture Program of BMRI UMS, Associate Professor Dr. Abentin Estim said, UMS prides itself with this unique training program that is so purposeful for students and industry.

He said, this is the 20th batch of aquaculture students benefitting from willingness of cooperating institutions and industries in Japan.

“The training program started from 3rd of May until 25th of July 2023. The students will be placed at Nagasaki Eel Farm, Olive Suissan and Tanoura Fisheries Cooperative that are renowned for their success in aquaculture.

“The program will provide the students with hands-on experience in a variety of aquaculture methods and emerging technologies in this area. We look forward to seeing how the students upon return to Malaysia will apply their knowledge to support the aquaculture industry,” he said.

For two of UMS students, David Dexter and Nur Aina Alisha, said his friends feeling grateful for receiving this opportunity from FSSA and BMRI of UMS.

“We would like to say thank you to BMRI and FSSA for giving us the opportunity to join this internship program. We feel excited and nervous at the same time. However, after the hard work that we have been through together as a team, it was worth it, and we will try our best to make UMS proud.

“From this program, we hope to gain more experience and skills in aquaculture field whilst exploring Japanese culture.

“Apart from that, we hope others can also have the same opportunity to experience the wonders of travelling outside the country for industrial practical,” they added.

BMRI and FSSA are delighted to offer our students the opportunity to study in Japan and gain modern knowledge and skills in this sector which has evolved as an important contributor to food security and a provider of economic and job opportunities.

While in Japan the students will also have ample opportunities to learn about Japan’s traditions, culture and professional ethics.

NOTWILL, SWITZERLAND: Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) has signed a collaborative agreement with Swiss Paraplegic Research (SPF) to conduct research studies on spinal cord injuries.

The agreement was signed by UMS Vice Chancellor, Professor Datuk Dr. Kasim Hj. Mansor and SPF Director, Professor Dr. Med. Gerald Stucki here on Tuesday (02 May 2023).

It was also witnessed by UMS Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation, Professor Ir. Dr. Rosalam Hj. Sarbatly and SPF Managing Director, Mirjam Brach.

According to Dr. Kasim, the research focuses on the level of care, quality of life and rehabilitation of those who have had spinal cord injuries.

"It is an initiative from the World Health Organization (WHO) where Swiss Paraplegic Research, which is a leading research institution in Europe, is responsible for coordinating the implementation of research on an international scale.

"This study will be conducted in 42 countries including Malaysia, which at UMS the research is led by Associate Professor Dr. Fatimah Ahmedy as a rehabilitation medicine specialist and an Associate Professor in Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, UMS along with several other medical experts in the same field in this country," he explained.

According to Dr. Kasim, the signed agreement will also result in cooperation in the exchange of expertise between the two institutions to increase the visibility of UMS towards supporting international efforts in the field of spinal cord injury research.

He said, among the studies that have been discussed include developing a rural rehabilitation center located in Beaufort, Sabah that can be used as a facility to carry out rehabilitation research based on artificial intelligence (AI-assisted rehabilitation).

"The main aim of this research is to optimize the ability of those who are paralyzed and disabled to be able to return to work and lead a daily life in the community.

"Indeed, this study is very timely because it is seen in line with the research skills of UMS which focuses on the university's contribution to the community through the village rehabilitation center as a living lab.

"With the inspiration of UMS as an innovative community leader, I am confident that this center can be a reference to help rural communities who suffer from physical problems and disabilities due to limb injuries to return to work.

"Indirectly, this can help the government in improving the national economy as well as reducing the burden of health costs," added Dr Kasim.

Swiss Paraplegic Research researchers are expected to come to Sabah for research purposes in early 2024.

KOTA KINABALU: Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) has signed a research agreement on regenerative agriculture and biodiversity with a local fertiliser company to strengthen its educational platform of eco-farm agriculture.

UMS Vice Chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Kasim Mansur believed the collaboration with Yun Fung Sang Group would encourage the involvement of local parties in agriculture and create space for research activities in oil palm and other agricultural fields.

“Agricultural education is crucial for Malaysia’s agricultural sector to leverage technology and innovation to enhance productivity and competitiveness of the downstream oil palm sector,” he said at the signing ceremony held in UMS.

Through the agreement, both parties agree to cooperate to achieve output involving publications and research seminars related to fertilisers, palm oil production and biodiversity in palm plantations.

It will also involve the exchange of human resources and expertise in the specified fields, including producing trade secrets and trademarks of research results.

The agreement will increase the visibility and strength of UMS in the community through collaboration with the palm oil industry and other related industries, he said.

In addition, he said, both parties will cooperate in establishing the Chair of Regenerative Agriculture and Biodiversity to strengthen the palm oil industry, especially in improving the health of agricultural lands and conservation of agrobiodiversity.

The project will involve the application of additional trace elements to soils to improve oil palm yield, soil health and soil fauna diversity in a 12-hectare oil palm plantation in Gum-Gum, Miles 16 Sandakan.

The project will also help palm oil farmers consider the three key factors: people, planet and profit.

The research team involves a number of experts and researchers, namely associate professor Dr Suzan Benedick (entomology and biodiversity), Dr Clament Chin Fui Seung (microbiology and biotechnology), Dr Januarius Gobilik (multi- and cross-disciplinary agronomy) and Dr Salumiah Mijin (horticulture and soil nutrition).

Suzan, the lead researcher, stated the project’s goal is to improve soil nutrient management in the palm oil agroecosystem by providing better information and advice to palm oil farmers, focusing on sustainability indicators such as soil trace element enrichment and cost-effectiveness.

Yun Fung director Steve Lee said he would work to strengthen the agricultural sector, especially the palm oil sector, to achieve the policy goals of the Sabah Government’s initiative to make the State a global leader in the sustainable palm oil industry.

The project has been implemented in 2022, involving a contribution over a five-year period from Yun Fung and its participating subsidiaries – Baja Harapan Group, Kang Ke Palm and Agri Business Consultancy.