The Faculty of Business, Economics, and Accounting (FBEA) Appreciation Ceremony at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) serves as recognition for the faculty staff.

FBEA) UMS Dean, Assoc. Prof. Dr. RahimiR Abd Karim, stated that the ceremony has become an annual event to celebrate FPEP staff for their efforts, achievements, and contributions in the fields of academia, research, and community engagement.

According to him, FBEA is not merely a faculty; it is the backbone driving UMS towards excellence.

Therefore, he said, the appreciation ceremony serves as an important platform to foster spirit and motivation among academic and administrative staff to continue striving for excellence in every task.

“I am proud to witness the extraordinary achievements delivered by the FBEA staff.

We firmly adhere to the idea that excellence is not just a goal but must become a culture within our organization.

“The spirit of teamwork and commitment are key elements shaping our success,” he said during his speech at the recent ceremony.

The event was further graced by the presence of UMS Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Datuk Dr. Kasim Mansor, who expressed his support for FBEA management's efforts in organizing such an event.

He also commended the faculty management's initiatives in ensuring the university’s excellence agenda is always prioritized and achieved.

The appreciation ceremony inspires every effort and contribution, no matter how small, as essential in shaping the future of FBEA and UMS as a whole.

This initiative encourages staff to remain motivated and work towards maximizing their potential, aiming for excellence as the target to deliver the best services to the community and the nation.

Shangri-La Rasa Ria, Kota Kinabalu, has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) to develop and explore glowing mushrooms.

This collaboration signifies a crucial step toward researching, conserving and implementing sustainable harvesting practices for the rare glowing mushrooms native to the resort’s reserve area.

The resort and the institution share a commitment to environmental stewardship and the responsible use of this extraordinary natural resource.

“Our partnership with UMS is a meaningful stride in preserving the delicate ecosystem of our reserve area.

“Together, we aim to unlock the potential of glowing mushrooms for the benefit of science and society,” said Rasa Ria General Manager Fiona Hagan.

“Collaborating with Rasa Ria reflects our joint dedication to responsible exploration and conservation.

“We aspire to contribute valuable insights into scientific knowledge and innovation,” said UMS Director of Tropical Biodiversity and Conservation, Dr Fiffy Hanisdah Saikin.

The LOI sets the foundation for joint research and planning efforts, emphasising ethical practices, environmental sustainability and community engagement.

Yayasan Sabah Group (YSG) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Sabah Forestry Department (SFD) and Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) on the Bioprospect Project and Development of Wild Fungi, Wild Ginger and Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (TUB) at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC).

It is an effort towards sustainable development and the conservation of the biological resources of Sabah.

Yayasan Sabah Director Dato’ Sri Gulamhaidar Khan Bahadar signed on behalf of YSG, while SFD was represented by Chief Conservator of Forests Datuk Frederick Kugan and Vice-Chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Kasim Haji Mohd Mansur for UMS.

State Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif, who witnessed the signing, commended the collaborative effort made thus far by the Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Ministry (NRECC) and SFD for supporting and channelling funds in preserving and conserving natural resources and the efforts of YSG and UMS in making the TUB project a success.

The TUB project intends to discover species of wild fungi and wild ginger in Sabah, particularly Tuhau, which has high commercial value potential to be marSome of the wild fungi, wild ginger and medicinal and aromatic plants. keted in the future as a proactive approach towards addressing global food security issues.

The project has been carried out in the YSG’s conservation areas, namely Danum Valley, Maliau Basin and Imbak Canyon, besides the Innoprise-FACE Rainforest Rehabilitation Project (INFAPRO) and Innoprise-IKEA Tropical Forest Rehabilitation Project (INIKEA) and other Permanent Forest Reserves in Sabah.

As stated in the signed MoA, the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK12) Federal Fund has successfully allocated RM5 million to the TUB project for five years, beginning in 2021 and ending in 2025.

“This project also aims to produce PhD and MSc graduates in related fields, and to develop a collaborative network between academia and government agencies in the research field.

“In addition, this project has produced novel product and bio-chemical prototypes and integrated technological knowledge through demonstrations, publications and workshops to local communities and entrepreneurs.

“I am confident that this TUB project will encourage progress in the field of research and development and led innovation, including in the downstream sector for the production of commercial products that will offer economic opportunities and ensure the sustainable management of natural resources in Sabah,” he said.

During the same event, Dr Mohd Arifin also launched two books namely the “Kehidupan dan Adat Suku Murut Tangala, Kg Inarad, Tongod” and “Kepercayaan, Ritual dan Adat Suku Tombonuo, Lingkabau, Sugut” that were published by YSG.

The event was followed by a seminar on the TUB project and the latest findings of the project that has been implemented, which was participated by 150 people from various departments, agencies, organisations and institutions.

The seminar was aimed at raising awareness, particularly regarding the significance of the importance of protecting Sabah’s forest resources.

Sabah is honoured by Prof Dr Justin Sentian, who is the first Malaysian to carry out a long-term research expedition on climate change in the extreme cold winter of Antarctica.

Prof Justin, a Ranau native with Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), has made Sabah very proud by his achievement to carry out seven months of research in Antarctica, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said.

"I say well done and congratulations to Prof Justin because he is the first Malaysian scientist to carry out the research in Antarctica. His achievement makes us very proud.

"What makes it even more special is that the Sabah flag (along with the Malaysian flag) is also flown in Antarctica", he said in a statement on Wednesday (Jan 24).

Prof Justin, together with UMS assistant vice chancellor (strategic) Prof Dr Mohammad Saffree Jeffree and Sultan Mizan Antarctic Research Foundation chief executive officer Abd Shukor Jamaluddin paid Hajiji a courtesy call at his office in Menara Kinabalu here recently.

In a symbolic gesture of the successful completion of the research expedition, Prof Justin returned the Sabah flag to Hajiji which the Chief Minister presented to him on March 10, 2023 before he left for the coldest continent.

Prof Justin, who is with the UMS Faculty of Science and Natural Resources, had conducted his research in the extreme cold Antarctica winter from March 21 to Oct 27, 2023, making him the Malaysian scientist who spent the longest time in the continent.

He carried out his research at the Julio Escudero Station on King George Island.

The expedition, the first of its kind, was organised by Sultan Mizan Antarctic Research Foundation with the Antarctic Research Institute of Chile (INACH).

Prof Justin was given a RM150,000 special research grant from the foundation for a research project related to climate change entitled "Variation of Troposphere Ozone and Halocarbons in the Antarctic Peninsula in Conditions Extreme Weather".

Prof Justin said throughout the expedition in Antarctica, he faced many challenges, especially mentally and physically due to the extreme weather conditions.

"There were times when the air temperature reached -44°C and the wind speed of 120km/h that triggered snow storms," he said.

He hoped the results of his research would have a significant impact on the understanding of ozone variations and hydrocarbon and halocarbon species in extreme weather conditions during winter.

"It can contribute to the generation of new knowledge, not only among atmospheric chemical scientists but also to the whole community - local and global - to better understand the complex relationship with the current events such as climate change and ozone depletion," he said on his research experience in Antarctica.

A three-year study conducted in collaboration with INACH and the University of Santiago examines the role of halogenated reactive halocarbons in surface ozone chemistry and meteorological conditions under extreme winter weather conditions.

Halocarbons are greenhouse gases that can contribute to climate change and it is also responsible for the loss of stratospheric ozone in recent decades.

During his research, Prof Justin gathered data that records variations in surface ozone concentrations and some hydrocarbon gas species such as isoprene during winter in Antarctica.

He also managed to take 197 gas samples from air, snow, sea ice and sea water for the study of the content of halocarbon species such as bromocarbon, among others.

(Photo Source: Chief Minister Office)