The Young Engineers Section of the Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEMYES) Miri branch had recently collaborated with Curtin University Malaysia's Faculty of Engineering and Science to host a Civitour' programme at the university.

The programme, which is an initiative by IEM-YES to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted aspects of engineering, was attended by 48 civil engineering students from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and their advisor, Sr Ts Dr Asmawan Mohd Sarman.

Also joining the programme were IEM-YES Miri branch chairman Francis Liaw Zhen Zhen; IEM Miri branch chairperson Ir Chong Boon Hui; Curtin academic Associate Professor Ir Wong Kwong Soon; Associate Prof Bridgid Chin Lai Fui, Ir Meheron Selowara Joo and Jameson Malang.

The Civitour programme involved workshop and guided tour to Curtin Malaysia's new Engineering Research Laboratories and Curtin Aquaculture Research Laboratories, offering the students a glimpse of the cuttingedge research being conducted at Curtin and their practical applications in engineering.

Liaw said the event allowed the participants to gain valuable insights into the ethical considerations essential to engineering practice, comprehend the regulatory frameworks governing engineering projects, and appreciate the pivotal role played by the IEM in the effective management of infrastructure.

"IEM-YES Miri is enthusiastic about facilitating enriching experiences for engineering students, fostering a deeper appreciation for the ethical dimensions of engineering and the broader societal implications of their futur e roles in the field," he remarked.

Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) has contributed 78 relief baskets to the victims of a fire in Kg. Tanjung Batu Laut Logpond, Tawau. The handover ceremony took place at the Tawau Sports Complex Hall.

The relief baskets, containing personal hygiene kits and basic necessities for welcoming the arrival of Ramadan, were provided through contributions from the UMS Hospital, the Centre for Investment, Endowment, and Waqf (CIEW), the UMS Islamic Centre, the Student Affairs Department (JHEP), UMS staff, and generous individuals.

The delivery of the donations was coordinated by the UMS Security Division, led by its Chief, Colonel (Kes) Abdul Talib Arifin; the UMS 4WD Volunteer Club (UMS 4WDVC), led by its President, Prof. Datuk Dr. D. Kamarudin D. Mudin; and HUMS, represented by Deputy Director of Management and Operations, Samsuidin Nurdin.

The donations were handed over by UMS Board of Directors member, Samasudin Yusop, and UMS Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International), Prof. Dr. Shahril Yusof, to the Tawau District Civil Defense Officer, Captain PA Japli bin Haji Siping, for distribution to all affected victims.

Among those affected by the incident on March 6 were two UMS students: first-year student of the Faculty of Business, Economics, and Accountancy (FPEP), Nur Syafiqah Amani binti Abri, and final-year student of the Faculty of Engineering (FKJ), Muhd Iqmal bin Hamsah.

Both students received financial assistance from JHEP to help ease their financial burdens.

It is hoped that this assistance will help alleviate the hardship faced by the fire victims, particularly with the approach of Ramadan.

The UMS community prays for strength and resilience for all victims as they navigate this difficult time.

Tropical Forestry Conference 2024 (TF2024), organized by Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), serves as a vital platform to explore solutions to the challenges faced by tropical forests.

Sabah’s Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Datuk Dr. Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif, emphasized the significance of preserving tropical forests for their environmental, social, and economic functions.

“It is crucial to conserve existing tropical forests and safeguard them from conversion to other land uses to ensure their continued role in sustaining biodiversity, climate regulation, and community welfare," he stated during the event's opening at UMS.

He highlighted that TF2024 is the second conference of its kind, following the inaugural virtual conference, TF2021.

The two-day conference brings together 97 participants, comprising 87 Malaysians and 10 international delegates from Indonesia, Thailand, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, and Japan, to share insights and research findings across various themes.

Dr. Arifin urged participants to maximize the conference as a platform not only for sharing research discoveries but also for strengthening local and international research networks to enhance tropical forestry management and conservation efforts in the region.

F2024 featured distinguished keynote speakers, including Datuk Frederick Kugan, Chief Conservator of Forests, Sabah Forestry Department; Dr. Wan Mohd Shukri Wan Ahmad, Director of the Forestry and Environment Division, FRIM; and also invited presenters included Tan Sri Abdul Majid Khan, Executive Chairman of Jawala Corporation Sdn Bhd.; and Prof. Dr. Ahmad Ainuddin Nuruddin, Project Manager of the Sustainable Management of Peatland Ecosystems in Malaysia (SMPEM).

Also attended the conference  Vice-Chancellor of UMS, Prof. Datuk Dr. Kasim Mansor; Dean of the Faculty of Tropical Forestry, UMS, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Normah Awang Besar @ Raffie; Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests (Planning and Management), Sabah Forestry Department, Indra P. H. Sunjoto; and Chairperson of TF2024 Organizing Committee, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Maria Lourdes T. Lardizabal. 

The conference reaffirms UMS’s commitment to fostering impactful collaborations and promoting sustainable solutions for tropical forestry conservation and management.

UMS closes deals to commercialise its innovation to three companies via intellectual property (IP) licensing.

The momentous Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) marks a significant milestone in the university’s mission to translate academic discoveries into real-world applications that benefit society.

Through this strategic partnership, UMS will collaborate with Flamoff Industries (M) Sdn. Bhd., SF Green Sdn. Bhd., and Petrogaya Sdn. Bhd., to bring cutting-edge research to market, fostering innovation and economic growth.

The agreement encompasses the exclusive licensing of intellectual property rights, enabling the development, production, distribution, and sales of UMS’s innovations.

Assistant Vice Chancellor (Strategic) of UMS, Professor Dr. Mohammad Saffree Jeffree who represent the Vice Chancellor of UMS, Professor Datuk Dr. Kasim Mansor expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration stating the licensing agreement exemplifies UMS’s commitment to advancing knowledge and driving positive change.

“By harnessing the power of collaboration with Flamoff Industries (M) Sdn. Bhd., SF Green Sdn. Bhd., and Petrogaya Sdn. Bhd., we can amplify the impact of our research and innovations, ultimately benefiting communities and industries worldwide.

“Flamoff Industries (M) Sdn. Bhd is thrilled to bring UMS’s innovative fire protection products to the market.

“The innovative fire protection additive called ‘PhosphaTania’ was developed by ChM. Ts. Dr. Zuhair Jamain and Associate Prof. ChM. Dr. Moh Pak Yan, both are from Faculty of Science and Natural Resources (FSSA) UMS. “PhosphaTania” is the non-corrosive formulation for fire extinguisher aimed at saving individual life from a fire incident and protecting the environment at the same time,” he said.

Meanwhile he said, SF Green Sdn. Bhd will bring UMS’ consumer products “Vivify” to the market.

“Armed with the popularity of the brand “Vivify” and its renown inventor, Professor Dr. Shafiquzzaman Siddiquee of Biotechnology Research Institute (IPB) UMS, a top scientist in the world, the company is optimistic that “Vivify” products can compete with the other well-established consumer product brands in the market.

“The company believes the use of organic ingredients in Vivify products is a strong attraction in the market for its health and effectiveness reasons,” he added.

Another company Petrogaya Sdn. Bhd is poised to enter the poultry industry with UMS’ popular innovation called “A-Yamli” developed by Ag. Ahmad Mohd Yunus, a renown innovator from the Faculty of Tropical Forestry (FPT).

Saffree said “A-Yamli” is a popular brand of premium chicken fed with specially formulated feed supplement containing Tongkat Ali, a well-established medicinal plant.

“These three licensing agreement signifies a mutual commitment to leveraging expertise and resources to propel innovation forward.

“By bridging academia and industry, UMS and Flamoff Industries (M) Sdn. Bhd., SF Green Sdn. Bhd., and Petrogaya Sdn. Bhd., aim to accelerate the transition of research from the lab to the marketplace, driving economic growth and societal progress,” Saffree said.

These commercialisation of UMS Intellectual Property are facilitated by the Innovation and Commercialisation Management Center (ICMC) of UMS.

The Director of ICMC, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jidon @ Adrian Janaun expressed his zeal and enthusiasm to continuously encourage and support UMS researchers to strive for innovation and commercialisation that will bring greater benefit to Malaysia as well as the world.

UMS Legal Advisor, Awang Suhaizam Bungso; UMS Chief Librarian, Md Sazali Md Salleh; UMS Chief Digital Officer, Profesor Dr. Ag. Asri Ag. Ibrahim were also present in the ceremony and witnessed the exchange of MoAs.