WEDNESDAY, 26 JUNE – For the development of seaweed in Malaysia, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) through the Seaweed Research Unit (UPRL) in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry, Fisheries Department Malaysia and the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority – FAMA) had taken a proactive step to organise a seminar on Entrepreneurship and Marketing of Seaweed Products Serie 1 for the year 2013.

With the theme ‘Towards the Development of Seaweed Industy and Intensifying Marketing’, this two-day seminar will present working papers from representatives of agencies involved.  Among them Agro Bank Berhad, Chamber of Rural Entrepreneurs Industry, Tawau Carrageenan (TACARA) Sdn. Bhd., Bogor Indonesia Agriculture Insitute, besides other presentations by UPRL.

Head of UPRL, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Suhaimi Md. Yasir said, the seminar had gathered all entrepreneurs and related agencies to share their knowledge and information on the opportunities offered by the government.

“We want the participants who attend this seminar to understand this industry management thoroughly from seedlings until the level of marketing,” he said.

“There are extensive opportunities in this industry such as food products, health, beauty and personal care besides seedlings, dried seaweed and premium seaweed.  This is an opportunity for entrepreneurs to generate income towards supporting the government’s move to turn Malaysia into a developed nation by the year 2020,” he further reiterated.

150 participants from around the nation attended the seminar which was held at the Hotel Grand Blue Wave, Shah Alam, Selangor to find out in more detail the opportunities on offer by this industry. - FL

By: Faezah Mohamad Dun
Photo: Musaab Umair

TUESDAY, 25 JUNE – UMS through the Sports Science Programme, School of Education and Social Development (SPPS) is actively conducting programmes and activities which contribute to the development and progress of the sporting field, especially in Sabah.

An international conference on Sports Science organised by SPPS was held at the Auditorium, Postgraduate Studies UMS.  The three-day conference recorded 105 participants from within and outside the country, among them are Bangladesh, Egypt, Taiwan, Thailand and the Philippines.

The Minister of Youth and Sports Sabah, Datuk Tawfiq Datuk Seri Panglima Abu Bakar Titingan when officiating the ‘1^st UMS International Sports Science Conference’ (UISSCo) 2013' at the Sabah Oriental Hotel said, the initiative of a group of Sports Science lecturers in setting up a unit with certain Sabah government agencies, would be able to increase their performance in the sports championship, especially in the forthcoming Sukan Malaysia (SUKMA).

“I am happy with the smart partnership among UMS, Sabah National Sports Council (MSN), National Sports Institute (ISN) and sports associations; Sabah’s dream of becoming champion in the coming SUKMA games is achievable,” he said.

Meanwhile, UMS Vice-Chancellor Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd Harun Abdullah said the aim of organising UISSCo acts as a platform for researchers to network and disscuss their research and latest findings in the field of sports.  He added that UMS is committed to contribute towards development and the progression of sports in Sabah.

“UMS hopes that with the exchange of these ideas, sports in Malaysia would continue to improve, especially in Sabah.  A committee had been formed, consisting of UMS, Sabah National Sports Institute Satelite Centre, Sabah Sports Council and Sabah Sports Board to improve the performance of Sabah SUKMA athletes.  UMS hopes to contribute not only in improving the achievements of athletes in Sabah, but also towards the development and the flair of sports science, in Malaysia and the whole world,” he said.

This conference would see more than 50 working papers presented by sports science practitioners, among whom are Prof. Dr. Zahari Bin Taha (Sports Technology), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd. Khairi Zawi (Biomechanic), Prof. Dr. Jeff Coombes (Physiology Exercise) and Prof. Dr. Shaharudin bin Abdul Aziz (Sports Psychology). – FL

By: Mohd. Affzanizam Mohd. Amin
Photo: Suzeanywati Gasinin

                                                                                                   Information and Media Section, Corporate Relations Division
 

MONDAY, 24 JUNE – Kampung Mabul located at the south-eastern part of Sabah is populated by fishermen comprising of Sea Bajau and Suluk ethnics.  Both these ethnic groups experienced hardships in making ends meet for their families because of unpredicted sea produce caught.

By spending most of their time fishing at the border of the Malaysian-Philippines waters, they risk their lives in the middle of the sea in search for a mere income of RM750 a family.  Determined to end this sad tale, Enactus UMS which was known as SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) UMS had helped this community by innovating the Payao Project.

Inspired by artificial reefs which can only be applied to shallow waters, Enactus UMS had implemented this environment-friendly tool called Payao which consists of 3 main parts comprising float, anchor and the most interesting part, fish.  This tool attracts various fishes especially Tuna resulting in fishermen at Mabul Island gaining a consistent catch.  Through this project, fishermen at Mabul Island need only fish around the Payao area thus reducing their time in the sea.

This project, which is under the supervision of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ismail Ali who is an expert in Payao, also ensures that this tool works besides maintaining the natural aquatic surroundings.  A workshop on financial management was also conducted so as to strengthen the fishermen’s knowledge on business thus creating awareness on the importance of preserving our natural ecosystem.  At the same time, the Mabul Fishermen Association was formed to manage and ensure the Payao Innovation can be optimised in the long term. - FL

Source: Enactus UMS Team

FRIDAY, 21 JUNE – The Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) will be interviewed live on TV1 in the ‘Selamat Pagi 1Malaysia’ programme on 24 June.  The Vice-Chancellor who is also the Commandant of the Reserve Officers Volunteers Force (PALAPES) UMS will touch on the forthcoming Royal Commissioning Ceremony which will be held at this EcoCampus university on 06 July 2013.  The interview which is scheduled at 7.50 am at Wisma TV RTM Angkasapuri Kuala Lumpur will take about 15 minutes.  Also scheduled to be present is Major General Dato’ Mazelan Kasap. - FL

                                                                                                  Information and Media Section, Corporate Relations Division