The Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Prof. Datuk Dr. Kasim Hj. Mansor, emphasized that civility and a progressive mindset should be central to every effort in driving the university's agenda for excellence.

In facing the challenges of the upcoming year 2025, he stated that the UMS community must uphold a core value as its foundation: civility.

“Civility is not merely about politeness; it is about our respect for knowledge, our fellow human beings, and our responsibilities to society.

“While strengthening our conscience with civility, we must also embrace a growth mindset.

“Civility shapes the foundation of our values, while a growth mindset drives us to continuously grow, learn from experiences, and view challenges as opportunities for advancement,” he said.

He conveyed this message in his New Year 2025 address, published on UMS’s official social media platforms.

According to Kasim, within the university ecosystem, a growth mindset means that members of the university community should not fear trying new things, learning from mistakes, and pushing beyond their limits.

“Academics must hone the minds of students, not merely delivering facts but also instilling courage to think, question, and aspire to greatness.

“You are the guiding lights, illuminating uncharted paths for students, pointing the way but not enforcing choices. This responsibility is an act of benevolence, a lasting contribution across generations.

“Students look up to you as role models; therefore, show them that intellectual strength begins with civility, and wisdom emerges from patience,” he said.

He added that university administrators must ensure smooth operations so that all campus members can perform their roles effectively.

“You are the guardians of the system, ensuring that policies and procedures are executed effectively, and every decision you make has a significant impact on the university’s progress.

“Your contributions are the lifeblood of the university, making it a place where intellectual excellence and human values converge,” he stated.

Kasim highlighted that in 2025, UMS will continue to strive for excellence and empower its ecosystem based on five guiding lenses toward achieving UMS’s vision of excellence.

He concluded his address by urging the UMS community to step into 2025 with unity and a strong collective spirit to achieve shared aspirations.

Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), through the Borneo Marine Research Institute (BMRI), remains committed to enhancing the income of local communities by organizing the Coastal Aquaculture Farming Course for the Kudat District Community recently.

According to a statement from BMRI, the program is part of an initiative under the Higher Education Centre of Excellence (HICoE), which was awarded to IPMB by the Ministry of Higher Education in 2024.

“The one-day course, organized by BMRI’s Aquaculture Partners in close collaboration with the Sabah Fisheries Department, successfully attracted 35 participants from Kudat, Kota Marudu, and Pitas.

“This course aims to expose the communities around Kudat to the importance and various aquaculture activities that can be implemented along coastal areas.

“These activities not only provide opportunities to increase the local community’s income but also have the potential to become a primary or supplementary source of income to improve family livelihoods,” the statement said.

IPMB also noted that the course enabled participants to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by farmers and fishermen and explore more sustainable and effective approaches to improving their socioeconomic well-being.

“This program also supports the research titled ‘Socio-Economics: Assessing the Impact of Aquaculture Technology Transfer on Communities,’ conducted by BMRI to analyze the impact of aquaculture technology transfer in improving the lives of coastal communities.

“It is hoped that this initiative will empower the skills and knowledge of local communities in aquaculture and provide training opportunities relevant to current needs.

“BMRI, in particular, and UMS, in general, remain steadfast in strengthening education and research in Sabah by providing strong support to local communities, especially in efforts to improve their quality of life through more innovative and sustainable approaches,” the statement added.

In related developments, besides the course, BMRI has implemented various programs throughout the year aimed at advancing the skills and knowledge of participants, particularly in the aquaculture industry.

These include Basic Aquaculture Management, Characterization and Immunology Profiling of Fish Blood, and Basic Fish Parasite Identification.

“With an emphasis on more efficient, sustainable, and competitive aquaculture technologies, BMRI is committed to addressing challenges in the fisheries industry and enhancing the global competitiveness of local aquaculture products.

“Through continuous innovation in education and research, IPMB hopes to generate more initiatives and breakthroughs that benefit both communities and the aquaculture industry as a whole.

“This marks a crucial step toward achieving more sustainable and resilient development in Malaysia’s fisheries sector.”

IPMB was recognized as a HICoE in 2024 for its outstanding achievements in national research and higher education, acknowledging its efforts in aquaculture research and development, particularly involving hybrid groupers and mameng fish.

Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), through the Institute for Biotechnology Research (IPB), continues to strengthen its role in community development by implementing programs with direct impacts on local communities.

One significant initiative involves a knowledge transfer program at Rumah Amal Kasih Kingfisher in Kota Kinabalu, focusing on orphans and underprivileged groups (asnaf).

The program, aimed at enhancing participants' knowledge and skills in agrobiotechnology and modern agricultural technologies, is led by Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Wilson Yong Thau Lym, an expert in plant tissue culture and plant biotechnology.

According to Dr. Wilson, the primary objective of the project is to help the community expand their knowledge and improve their socioeconomic conditions through modern agricultural technologies.

“The knowledge transfer activities include aspects such as formulating planting media, fertilizer use, and fertigation farming methods.

“The program, which involves innovative vegetable cultivation projects, began in May this year and is being implemented in phases, engaging 20 children, teenagers, and staff members of Rumah Amal Kasih Kingfisher.

“Activities include basic training in agricultural biotechnology, the installation of fertigation systems through cooperative efforts, and periodic monitoring of the developed farming plots,” he said.

Dr. Wilson added that during a special visit to IPB as part of the program, participants were given in-depth exposure to sustainable agrobiotechnology applications.

“They were also provided the opportunity to tour the institute’s plant tissue culture laboratories and transgenic facilities.

“Additionally, participants received hands-on training in plant seed cultivation techniques, focusing on proper plant care methods,” he said.

He highlighted the support provided by IPB’s experts, including Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kenneth Francis Rodrigues, a specialist in plant genetics, and IPB Senior Research Officer Haslan Roslie.

Dr. Wilson expressed his gratitude to Rumah Amal Kasih Kingfisher, led by organization supervisor Jamrie Saparih, for ensuring the program’s success in empowering the community through close collaboration with IPB.

Meanwhile, IPB Director Prof. Dr. Lee Ping Chin emphasized that such knowledge transfer programs reflect UMS’s ongoing commitment to supporting inclusive and innovative educational agendas aligned with the vision of the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE).

“I believe programs like this provide short-term benefits to communities, but more importantly, they pave the way for sustainable socioeconomic transformation in the long term.

“By imparting knowledge and skills, communities will become more resilient and self-reliant in facing future challenges,” he said.

Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) through the Early Childhood Education Program (PAKK), Faculty of Education and Sports Studies (FPPS), recently held the UMS Student Entrepreneurship Carnival in conjunction with the Borneo Children's Day 2024 at FPPS, UMS.

According to the program director, Saturia Amiruddin, the event received full support from the Ministry of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship (MIDE) Sabah and collaborated with the UMS Flexible Education Center (UMSFLEC), the Knowledge and Language Enhancement Center (PPIB), and the Sustainable Mind Center (PML).

"This program, among other things, aims to provide a platform for students to develop entrepreneurial skills, showcase products and business ideas, as well as interact with successful entrepreneurs in the industry.

"This program not only brings joy and celebrates children but also provides exposure and new experiences related to entrepreneurship for children.

"Early exposure to entrepreneurship will benefit them, especially as they grow older, while raising awareness about the importance of entrepreneurship and best practices in PAKK, which need to be cultivated and spread to students, parents, teachers, and children," she said.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Secretary of MIDE, Moira David, who represented the Minister of MIDE, Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, at the closing ceremony, said the program was timely given the increasing challenges in the job market.

"Students should not solely rely on job opportunities coming from government agencies but must be more courageous and creative in seeking or creating job opportunities through entrepreneurship.

"I understand that this program has provided students with deeper exposure to the basics of early childhood education, how to plan and manage activities, and foster an interest in entrepreneurship.

"This will help them build leadership and management skills that will be useful for their future careers," she said.

She added that MIDE strongly supports the organization of such programs as they provide students with practical learning opportunities, broaden career inspiration, and empower themselves in aspects of program management, entrepreneurship, and PAKK.

Earlier, FPPS Dean, Associate Prof. Dr. Soon Singh, said that the program, which combined elements of entrepreneurship and children in one event, was something new and unique.

"The success of this program will inspire students to organize larger and more meaningful programs in the future.

"This, in turn, strengthens the role of UMS as an educational institution that not only develops the academic potential and character of students but also contributes to community development as a whole.

"May such initiatives continue to grow and benefit all parties involved in elevating the quality of PAKK in this region," he said.

Several activities were held throughout the carnival, including exhibitions, workshops, and talks on best practices in PAKK; sales booths; interactive activities with children such as puppet shows, role plays, shadow plays, storytelling, mask play, doll play, and read-aloud sessions; Sabah PAKK Students Roundtable Discussion; creativity workshops; coloring contests; and drama and theater performances.

Also present were the Deputy Dean of Research and Innovation FPPS, Dr. Md Safwan Samsir; the Head of PAKK Program FPPS, Dr. Juppri Bacotang; and the President of the PAKK FPPS Club, Siti Nur Hayaati Jasman.