The management of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) remains open to suggestions and feedback from the Student Representative Council (MPP) and Residential College Welfare Committees (JAKMAS), particularly on matters related to student welfare.

UMS Vice-Chancellor, Professor Datuk Dr. Kasim Hj. Mansor, emphasized that MPP and JAKMAS are pivotal entities driving student welfare initiatives within the university.

“These entities also serve as platforms for students to enhance their leadership skills through interactions with various stakeholders and the organization of student programs. This provides opportunities for other students to actively participate and contribute to the university, even if they are not in leadership roles,” he explained.

Dr. Kasim reminded student leaders that leadership is about responsibility and trust, not just privileges.

“Student leaders must ensure that every idea shared is conveyed wisely. They should be professional, mature, and constructive when expressing opinions on issues, aiming to benefit the student body as a whole.

“All proposed ideas should be thoughtful, realistic, and dynamic, stemming from thorough observations and analyses. Most importantly, actions taken must reflect intellectual integrity befitting university students and leaders,” he said.

He also highlighted the collective responsibility of all parties to uphold the university's reputation and image, ensuring a harmonious and conducive campus environment for learning.

Dr. Kasim expressed these sentiments during the Appointment Ceremony for the MPP and JAKMAS for the 2023/2024 session, held recently at the UMS Gallery.

The ceremony included an oath-taking and pledge of commitment led by MPP President Roslan Abdullah, followed by the presentation of appointment letters to the MPP and JAKMAS committee members.

Also in attendance were Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni), Associate Professor Dr. Raman Noordin; UMS Treasurer, Badrul Hisham Ismail; UMS Legal Advisor, Awang Suhaizam Bongsu; and Head of the Student Affairs Department, Mohd Raffie Janau.

Painting can be a way to strengthen the relationship between Malaysia and Brunei, said Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif.

Arifin said the art field could be a link between the two countries.

“Today we are with painters from Brunei Darussalam and I congratulate Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) for successfully establishing good relations in the field of painting with various countries including Brunei.

“We can witness various works produced by prominent painters from Brunei that depict cultural values, thoughts, history and values that are sprinkled in the Gurisan Subarang Exhibition.

“I hope such programme can continue and become a vehicle for establishing relations between Malaysia and Brunei, especially the state of Sabah which is together in the Borneo Islands in the field of arts.

“We also hope that such programme will be held not only in the field of painting but also in Islamic calligraphy and other arts,” said Arifin when met by the media after officiating at the Soft Launch Ceremony of the Gurisan Subarang Exhibition in UMS.

A total of 83 works involving 15 famous painters from Brunei Darussalam participated in the Gurisan Subarang Exhibition from Jan 15 to March 8 at the Kaamatan and Kalimaran Exhibition Rooms, UMS Azman Hashim Gallery.

A group of researchers focused on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FPSK), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), recently held the “Mengenali AMR” program at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Pekan and SK Piasau in Kota Belud.

According to Dr. Zulkhairul Naim Sidek Ahmad, Head of the Department of Medical Education at FPSK and Project Leader for AMR, the program aims to raise awareness about AMR among primary school students.

“This program is a continuation of activities conducted late last year, where 20 students from SK Pekan and SK Piasau were trained to become peer mentors to spread awareness about AMR.

“Medical research worldwide has shown that the primary cause of AMR is the improper use of antibiotics.

“Therefore, campaigns about AMR need to start as early as possible, so that society, especially the younger generation, becomes more aware and knowledgeable about AMR,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Nurhanah Idek, the Deputy Education Officer of the Kota Belud District, who officiated the program’s closing, expressed that the timing of the program was crucial.

“AMR is an increasingly alarming global health threat.

“Therefore, programs like this are highly beneficial to students and align with the national health agenda,” she said.

The two-day program saw the participation of 220 students from grades four to six from SK Pekan and SK Piasau.

For the record, AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites being treated no longer respond to the medication used, causing infections to become more difficult to treat. This results in the need for stronger and more expensive antimicrobial drugs to cure the infection.

The strategic partnership between the Halal Services and Research Center (PPPH) under the Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition (FSMP) at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and the Halal Hub of the Sabah Islamic Religious Council (MUIS) is poised to contribute to the development of the halal hub in Sabah.

This was highlighted by PPPH Director, Dr. Noorakmar Abd Wahab, during his visit to the MUIS office, leading a UMS delegation for a courtesy call recently.

The UMS delegation, consisting of five members, was welcomed by representatives from the Sabah Halal Hub, led by MUIS Chief Executive Officer, Ramlan Awang Ali.

Dr. Noorakmar mentioned that the visit aimed to discuss collaboration opportunities between PPPH and the MUIS halal hub in halal-related services, particularly as PPPH is an accredited Halal Training Provider (PLH) by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) in Sabah.

“PPPH is ready to play its role in providing necessary training and courses for food entrepreneurs, whether at the cottage, small and medium scale, or large enterprises.

“Therefore, this discussion marks the beginning of a fruitful and targeted strategic collaboration between both parties, continuing the Memorandum of Understanding previously signed between UMS and MUIS,” he said.

He also informed that several proposals related to research activities had been presented to MUIS, including the potential collaboration in organizing the Halal Symposium, which is expected to be held in August 2024 at Sutera Harbour, Kota Kinabalu.

“With the expertise at PPPH, joint research on halal analysis and knowledge can be carried out, providing valuable insights into the halal landscape that MUIS requires.

“Together, PPPH and MUIS can create a positive synergy to empower the industry and strengthen the halal ecosystem in Sabah,” he added.

Dr. Noorakmar also expressed appreciation to MUIS for its continuous support of PPPH in carrying out halal research and services.

“It is hoped that the ongoing collaboration between UMS and MUIS will benefit the state of Sabah in becoming a halal hub, particularly in producing food that is not only halal but also toyyiban (pure and wholesome),” he concluded.

Also present at the courtesy visit were FSMP Dean, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hasmadi Mamat, and members of the halal research group, including Mohd Hazim Mohd Yusof, Dr. Nor Qhairul Izzreen Mohd Noor, and Dr. Yanty Noorzianna Abdul Manaf.