Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) continues to actively implement the Knowledge Transfer Programme (KTP) as part of its mission to disseminate knowledge to the community.

Most recently, UMS, through the Centre for the Promotion of Knowledge and Language Learning (PPIB), conducted a KTP initiative focusing on Political Literacy and Democratic Citizenship Education for students at North Borneo University College (NBUC).

PPIB Dean and Project Leader, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lai Yew Meng, stated that the program successfully enhanced the participants' political literacy and awareness of democratic citizenship, particularly among the youth.

“This program, which commenced in September 2023, was carried out through a series of training modules and activities aimed at imparting knowledge about democracy and the constitution via lectures, training sessions, and assessments among NBUC students.

“The organizers hope this inaugural program and its modules will continue to increase political literacy and awareness among Sabah’s youth, aligning with the philosophy of nation-building in Malaysia.

“This effort also supports one of the Ministry of Higher Education’s (KPT) 2024 focus areas, which is to empower communities and industries through knowledge transfer and sharing programs,” he explained.

Meanwhile, NBUC’s Senior Assistant Vice-Chancellor, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Steward G. Stephen, remarked that the program directly benefited participants from the Faculty of Security and Governance at NBUC by deepening their understanding of political literacy and democratic citizenship.

Additionally, one of the participants, End Andron Rizaly, expressed his appreciation for the program, emphasizing its importance in helping youth and students enhance their understanding of politics, democracy, and the Federal Constitution.

“I hope this program will continue so that awareness among youth and students can be further enhanced,” he said.

The program’s closing ceremony celebrated the participants by presenting certificates of participation and recognizing special categories such as the most cheerful participant, best male participant, and best female participant.

The event also featured UMS academics who served as speakers and facilitators, including Assoc. Prof. Dr. Anantha Raman Govindasamy, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Azri Ibrahim, Dr. Kavitha Ganesan, and Dr. Shaffarullah Abdul Rahman.

Other contributors included Dr. Budi Anto Mohd Tamring, Dr. Amy Azuan Abdullah, Dr. Mohd Hatib Ismail, and Mohammad Aqmal Hafidz Musa.

The team representing Kolej Kediaman Tun Fuad (KKTF) of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) emerged as champions in the inaugural UMS FA Cup, held in conjunction with the UMS Sports League 2023/2024.

In the final match, KKTF defeated the Faculty of Engineering team with a 2-0 victory at the UMS Stadium last Saturday.

Other competitions held during the league included the UMS Premier League, UMS League, UMS Women’s Futsal League 2023, and UMS Volleyball League.

In the UMS Premier League, the team from Kolej Kediaman Tun Pengiran Ahmad Raffae (KKTPAR) was crowned champion, followed by the Faculty of Psychology and Education (FPP) in second place, and KKTF in third.

The UMS League title was claimed by the Faculty of Islamic Studies (FIS), with Kolej Kediaman Non-Resident (KKNR) securing second place, and the Faculty of Business, Economics, and Accounting (FPEP) taking third.

Meanwhile, KKTPAR also secured victory in the UMS Women’s Futsal League, defeating Kolej Kediaman Tun Mustapha (KKTM), who placed second, while KKTF finished third.

KKTPAR continued their winning streak by clinching the UMS Volleyball League title, overcoming KKTM in second place, and FPEP in third.

Prizes were presented by UMS Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Raman B. Noordin.

Neurogine Group of Companies, a digital transformation, technology and service provider in Southeast Asia, has collaborated with Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) to establish a living technological laboratory in Labuan.

The initiative, known as the "UMS Asian Centre of Excellence for Financial Blockchain" (UMS ACoE), aims to create an innovation cluster focused on blockchain technology, particularly in financial applications and platforms addressing food security.

It said the joint effort would involve talent consolidation from Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei, Indonesia, and East Asia, positioning UMS ACoE as a Financial blockchain innovation hub.

Neurogine chairman Chen Chee Peng said the decision was reached following the Board of Advisors' 2024 Annual Meeting held for the first time in Labuan.

He said that the board had visited the UMS Labuan International Campus (LIC) earlier and inspected potential locations, favouring two for their size and resources.

Chen further stressed the current shortage of talent in blockchain technology despite its growing importance, highlighting the centre's role in attracting and Additionally, Chen expected the centre to play a crucial role in the rise of central bank digital currencies across Asia, emphasising the demand for talent in this evolving landscape.

As such, the initiative would not only create job opportunities but also attract foreign investments to Labuan, potentially transforming commerce and social aspects in the region, he said.

Furthermore, he said the company aims to nurture youth talents via the centre, advocating for the digitalisation agenda to benefit Labuan's communities, especially with the impending relocation of Indonesia's capital city.

Chen expressed optimism that the collaboration with UMS would yield positive economic, technological, and social growth in Labuan.

The proposed UMS ACoE will seek suitable talent and provide a dedicated platform for them to showcase and demonstrate their financial blockchain application and solutions.

"We propose close cooperation with the two faculties at UMS LIC, namely Labuan International Finance Faculty and Computing and Informatics Faculty, as both are in the right position to develop talent in this field, which combines technology and finance," he said.

Graduates who excel in various aspects are essential assets to the nation, driving development and competing on the international stage.

Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Datuk Dr. Kasim Hj. Mansor, highlighted this as aligned with the Ministry of Higher Education’s (KPT) vision of Quality Higher Education, Outstanding Individuals, Prosperous Nation.

"It is evident that the nation aspires to produce graduates who are not only academically excellent but also possess outstanding character," he said.

“To this end, UMS, through the Centre for Co-curriculum and Student Advancement, offers courses aimed at honing students’ potential and developing their soft skills through appropriate curricula and organized programs,” he explained.

He made these remarks during the closing ceremony of the UMS Co-Curriculum Carnival (KARKUMS) Session 1 2023/2024 at the UMS Chancellor Hall.

Kasim added that one of the key initiatives undertaken is the Innovation Carnival with the theme ‘Simple and Realistic Innovations.’

"Through this initiative, students are exposed to innovation under the guidance of certified trainers.

"This is a commendable effort to open students’ eyes to innovation and provide them with the opportunity to think creatively, in line with UMS’s slogan, ‘Leading an Innovative Society,’" he said.

Kasim also noted that the KARKUMS Carnival allowed students to showcase their learning outcomes creatively and vibrantly at their respective exhibition booths.

“With the theme of culture and tradition, the event instilled a love for cultural heritage among students, in line with this year’s carnival slogan, ‘Cultivating the Tradition of National Heritage, Sustaining Genuine Identity,’" he added.

During the event, Kasim also officiated the launch of the KARKUMS logo in conjunction with UMS’s 30th anniversary.

Also present were Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student and Alumni Affairs), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Raman Noordin; Director of the Centre for Co-curriculum and Student Advancement (PKPP), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jurry Foo; and KARKUMS Program Director, Awang Ku Syaiffudinsah Awang Ku Zainuddin.