Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), through its Natural Disaster Research Centre (NDRC), strengthened its commitment to disaster research and management by participating in the Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) 2024 held at the Manila International Convention Center, Philippines.

The conference, organized by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) in collaboration with the Philippine Government, was attended by NDRC UMS Director, Assoc. Prof. Ts. Gs. Dr. Carolyn M. Payus, as an official delegate representing Malaysia under the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), led by Deputy Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

According to Carolyn, NDRC’s involvement in this conference is vital for transferring disaster management knowledge and skills at the Asia Pacific level and for highlighting UMS’s research and international collaborations.

“Participation in APMCDRR 2024 strengthens the relationship between NDRC, UMS, and NADMA, while enhancing cross-country research collaborations in disaster risk management.

“This engagement also helps to update sectoral collaborations at the international level,” Carolyn explained.

She further emphasized that the four-day conference provided NDRC with the opportunity to share experiences and discuss disaster management strategies with other parties, especially regarding climate change issues.

“The plenary sessions, working sessions, and focus events also allowed participants to exchange ideas and explore innovative disaster risk reduction (DRR) approaches practiced by other countries.

“One of Malaysia’s initiatives highlighted at the conference was the implementation of Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) by the community in Mesilau, Kundasang, which has become a model for community-based disaster risk management in the country,” she said.

Also present were NADMA Director-General Datuk Khairul Shahril Idrus; Deputy Commissioner (Management) of the Malaysian Civil Defence Force, Dato’ Ismail Mohd Zawawi; and NDRC UMS Research Officer, Eldawaty Madran.

Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) celebrated its 30th anniversary together with the 50th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations at its Dewan Resital, under the theme “Unity in Celebration: 30 Years of Excellence, 50 Years of Friendship.” 

The event highlighted UMS’s role in fostering international ties, especially with China as a key partner in educational and cultural exchanges.

The event brought together university leaders, students and distinguished guests, including UMS Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Kasim Haji Mansor and Dr Huang ShiFang, the Consul General of China in Kota Kinabalu.

“This milestone is not just a reflection of our past achievements but a beacon of inspiration for our current and future staff and students," said Kasim, emphasising that UMS is here to create globally aware graduates.

​​"It serves as a reminder of the opportunities available to them and the legacy they are inheriting," he added, urging students to embrace the university's spirit of "learning, growth, and resilience" as they prepare to "envision the paths they will carve in the future.

"UMS's connection with China, one of its key international partners, has been instrumental in creating these opportunities.
Kasim highlighted UMS internationalisation policy that enhances global standing, allowing UMS to attract faculty and students from across borders and support initiatives like student exchanges and joint research.
Through partnerships with Chinese institutions, UMS has enriched its academic landscape, especially in fields such as education, marine science, and biodiversity, fostering both academic and cultural growth.
The celebration marked the achievements of UMS's past also looked towards future possibilities.
"As we look to the future, we remain dedicated to building a legacy of excellence that reflects our values and aspirations,” Kasim said.​

Meanwhile, Huang congratulated UMS on its 30th anniversary, applauding its role in fostering Malaysia-China relations through educational and cultural exchanges.

"UMS is known as the EcoCampus and one of the most beautiful universities in Southeast Asia," she said, acknowledging its significant contributions to both local talent development
and international cooperation.

She praised UMS for hosting the first Confucius Institute in East Malaysia, a key platform for cross-cultural learning, which has become a bridge of friendship and mutual understanding
between China and Sabah.

Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) is set to lead the Sabah Higher Education Nexus (SHEN), a consortium that promotes strategic partnerships between higher education institutions in Sabah, the government, industry, and the community.

According to Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Datuk Ts. Mustapha Sakmud, UMS is seen as the ideal institution to spearhead this initiative.

“SHEN will drive collaborative development among all participating institutions, enhance institutional resilience, and contribute to an innovative and competitive higher education ecosystem.

“The Nexus approach fosters synergy between various sectors and higher education institutions with different focus areas.

“This means smaller or emerging institutions will benefit from this approach through resource-sharing initiatives, expertise from more established institutions, interdisciplinary collaboration, and broader research grant opportunities.

“SHEN is a management innovation that adds value to all involved institutions, enhancing visibility and credibility, economic and community development, and curriculum innovation,” he said.

He made these remarks at the inauguration of the Leadership Forum Embracing Change: Leadership Strategies for Continuous Innovation, organized by UMS and the Malaysian Higher Education Leadership Academy (AKEPT) recently.

Mustapha added that several strategies could help realize this initiative, including ensuring a clear vision for the direction of innovation, practicing flexible and adaptive leadership, and engaging stakeholders.

He noted that empowering academics and administrators to innovate, promoting lifelong learning, and fostering a culture of collaboration were also essential steps.

“Ultimately, innovation plays a crucial role in a dynamic environment where change must be managed effectively.

“In other industries, organizational collaboration has proven to enhance competitiveness and resilience, and the same approach can be applied by educational institutions through shared goals and a commitment to mutual growth, ensuring sustainability and excellence in higher education for Sabah and Malaysia,” said Mustapha.

The Sabah Higher Education Nexus (SHEN) program recorded 94 participants from 10 organizations.

Also present were AKEPT Director Professor Dr. Harshita Aini Haroon, UMS Registrar Luqman Ridha Anwar, and Dean of the Faculty of Psychology and Social Work, UMS, Prof. Dr. Mohd Dahlan Haji Abdul Malek.

The Natural Disaster Research Centre (NDRC) of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) reaffirmed its commitment to disaster preparedness by participating in a Table Top Exercise (TTX) and Field Training Exercise (FTX) recently held in Kundasang.

The training focused on landslide disaster management in Sabah and involved collaboration with various government agencies.

According to NDRC Director, Assoc. Prof. Ts. Gs. Dr. Carolyn M. Payus, the event consisted of two main parts: a TTX session discussing the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) of each agency, followed by an FTX session with full-scale simulations of command structure, operations, and search and rescue (SAR) activities by the involved agencies.

“Simulations like these are crucial as they serve as a platform to strengthen inter-agency operability and cooperation.

“This exercise will enhance mutual understanding and facilitate coordinated action among rescue teams, especially in critical situations like landslides in Sabah,” said Carolyn, who also participated in the training sessions.

Carolyn added that the training, which included 70 participants from various agencies, provided an opportunity for knowledge-sharing and allowed participants to improve their knowledge, experience, and expertise.

“This year, the Ranau district was selected as the operational site due to its vulnerability to disasters such as earthquakes, landslides, and floods.

“Thus, training like this is essential to boost the preparedness of agencies and volunteers in disaster management and to strengthen existing SOPs,” she added.

This integrated training was the result of a strategic collaboration between the Internal Affairs and Research Office, Chief Minister’s Department of Sabah, and the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA).

The main agencies involved included the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Ranau District Office, Civil Defence Force (APM), Sabah Fire and Rescue Department, Sabah State Health Department, Sabah Parks, and the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM).

Other technical and support agencies that participated in the exercise included the Sabah State Education Department, Sabah Information Department, Department of Mineral and Geoscience Malaysia, Malaysian Meteorological Department, Department of Survey and Mapping Malaysia, RELA, Sabah State Welfare Services Department, Sabah State Water Department, Sabah Electricity Sdn. Bhd., and Sapura Secured Technologies.