KOTA KINABALU: The various initiatives outlined under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) are seen to be able to bridge the development and economic gap between Sabah and the peninsula.

A senior lecturer at the Faculty of Business, Economics and Accountancy, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Dr Rafiq Idris, said the 12MP tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob clearly showed the Federal Government’s commitment to the effort.

He said this was evident with at least 50 per cent of the total federal basic development allocation to be distributed to the less developed states, including Sabah, in the 12MP.

“If the plans and efforts can be translated in the next five years, the economic development gap will be reduced,” he said.

The Associate Fellow at the Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies said efforts to bridge the economic gap could also indirectly reduce the poverty rate in the long run.

“With the allocation (in the 12MP), it will enable implementation of basic infrastructure, digitisation, education, healthcare services as well as other basic needs for the state’s development,” he added.

However, in the effort to achieve economic growth, especially to reduce poverty, he said, it also depends on various factors that are interdependent with each other, as well as requires long-term and continuous efforts.

“The factors include existing policies, efficient implementation of planning and awareness to improve the level of education in the society,” he said.

Meanwhile, UMS Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Taufiq Yap Yun Hin said the efforts by Malaysia to introduce a more flexible higher education, digital education plans and job creation strategies through the 12MP were seen as capable of producing more high quality human capital.

He said the move was important in the effort by public universities and educational institutions to produce more graduates who met the needs of the industry and avoid a mismatch between academic qualifications and employment opportunities.

“To face this challenge, universities need to have strategies to develop students’ critical skills, especially involving digital, ‘cognitive capabilities’, as well as their social and emotional skills.

“I believe universities are able to be proactive, creative and adaptive in reviewing their academic curricula from time to time to meet the needs of the industry and in turn produce better human capital for the country,” he added. 

KOTA KINABALU: The vaccination centre (PPV) in Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) will no longer accept ‘walk-in’ vaccine applications starting from October 4.

In a statement on Thursday, UMS announced that its PPV will only distribute the second vaccine shots through booking appointments on the MySejahtera app.

“The public may contact the UMS PPV hotline at 013-815 1373 for more information,” the statement read.

The PPV will operate as usual, from Monday to Friday, starting from 8 am to 5 pm.

The said PPV has been operating since June 14, offering walk-in application, with a capacity of 3,000 vaccine shots a day.

A total of 100,000 doses of vaccines have been distributed, in addition to UMS’ outreach vaccination programmes in rural areas, the Kota Kinabalu Prison and the Temporary Detention Centre.

KOTA KINABALU: Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) students have expressed their happiness and excitement after they are allowed to return to their respective hometowns to celebrate the coming Hari Raya Aidilfitri with their families.

Most of those met at the UMS Balik Raya Student Programme at the UMS parade ground, Saturday, were thankful to the Government, especially the Higher Education Ministry, for permitting the movement of the students.

Mohd Azman Amran said the opportunity to return to his hometown, let alone during the festive season, was indeed a moment to look forward to as he had missed his family the most.

“I am very grateful because not everyone gets an opportunity like this to go home for Hari Raya and celebrate with their families. Of course, I miss my family in the village and to make lemang (glutinous rice cooked in bamboo) and ketupat (rice cake) with my mother in the backyard,” said the 21-year-old student who hails from Negeri Sembilan.

Another UMS student, Awg Azreezan Awg Kasim from Tawau, also did not expect that the students would be allowed to return to their hometown and described it as a golden opportunity for he had not met his family for some time.

“Previously, we stayed on the campus and could not meet our families, so when we are allowed to return home, it will be a joyful event for us,” he said.

Both Mohd Azman and Awg Azreezan are among 2,000 UMS students expected to return to their hometowns in conjunction with the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration from May 7 to 12.

Meanwhile, UMS Vice-Chancellor Datuk Taufiz Yap Yun Hin said the university had prepared various initiatives to ease the movement of the students, including providing rental buses and shuttle services that travel back and forth twice a day to the airport.

“We also distribute face masks, hand sanitisers and food for students before all students return home,” he said, adding a total of 4,500 students have opted to remain on campus during the Hari Raya holiday period.

Taufiq assured that the university would look after the students’ welfare by providing food and ensuring their safety. 

Source: https://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news/171075/ums-students-happy-excited/

KOTA KINABALU: Some 2,000 Universiti Malaysia Sabah students are expected to return to their hometowns in conjunction with Raya Aidilfitri Aidilfitri.

UMS Vice-Chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Taufiq Yap Yun Hin said the students would be sent back in stages, with the 'balik kampung' journey kicking off on Friday and would last until May 12.

"We are providing five buses daily to several areas and two shuttle services to the airport for students returning to the Peninsula.

"The students are expected to return to campus on May 15, which they have to inform us beforehand.

"Students who return to campus will not have to go through the quarantine procedure," he said when met by reporters, adding that returnees only need to maintain the standard operating procedures (SOP).

However, for students returning from the Peninsula especially from areas under Movement Control Order, they will be required to undergo isolation for 10 days.

Taufiq said a total of 4,500 students have opted to remain in campus during the Hari Raya holiday period.

He assured that the university would looked after the students' welfare by providing food and ensuring their safety.

First-year Electrical and Electronics Engineering student Mohd Irsyad Iskandar Mohd Idris from Terengganu said he was happy as UMS students from the Peninsula were also allowed to return to their home town.

"I am happy to hear the news. I am happy to be back after the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) at UMS ends.

"During EMCO, which coincided with fasting month, I was stressed for being confined and attending online classes.

"When I reach home, I want to spend as much time with my family to de-stress." he said.

Source: https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2021/05/688789/2000-ums-students-start-balik-kampung-journey?fbclid=IwAR3-i7VC-w4O9TCPaxT5hCzrbyrHehT5DLi349KLpnhXohVqR8JY1ZtMSvY#.YJYNRdMlhzg.facebook