MONDAY, 27 MAY – The organising of the Undergrads and Career Carnival 2013 at the Palm Square, Centre Point, Kota Kinabalu on 25-26 May had given exposure and basic training to students in grabbing available career prospects.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd. Harun Abdullah said the carnival which was themed ‘Shine and Get Hired’ not only had career exhibitions from over 30 government and private agencies but also interviews by selected agencies.

“Among the targets of the carnival was that at least 60% of UMS students who attended the interviews would be employed by the agencies concerned that conducted the interview. Hence, to all students who attended the carnival, be bold in getting a wider scope of career opportunities,” he stressed. He said this at the opening of the event which was officiated by the Assistant Minister of the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry Datuk Hajjah Azizah Datuk Seri Panglima Hj. Mohd. Dun.

Datuk Azizah in her opening speech said that the carnival was important in chanelling useful information especially to women because according to statistics the percentage of working women was only at 40 but the number of female students at institutions of higher learning stood at 60 percent. She said this was because many women do not return to the workforce once they had delivered or had children.

“A forum touching on women and career has also been included in this programme. I hope this would give exposure and attracts women to join the working world. Women’s contributions toward the improvement of the nation’s economy is vital as it would cover 50% of the whole contributions,” she added.

Also present at the event was the Deputy Secretary-General (Strategic) Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, Datuk Harjeet Singh Hardeev Singh; the Director of NAM Institute for the Empowerment of Women Malaysia (NIEW), Tan Sri Datuk (Dr.) Rafiah Salim; and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Student Affairs and Alumni) UMS, Assoc. Prof. Datuk Dr. Hj. Kasim Hj. Md. Mansur. - FL

By: Mohd. Affzanizam Mohd. Amin
Photo: Musaab Umair
                                                                                                                                       Information and Media Section, Corporate Relations Division

FRIDAY, 24 MAY – A turtle conservation programme in conjunction with World Turtle Day 2013 celebration was held at Mabul Island, Semporna and received good response from locals and foreigners.

The two-day programme was a collaboration effort among Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment and the Sabah Tourism Board through Sabah Parks and the Widllife Department and Uncle Chang’s Sipadan Mabul Dive Lodge.

Asisstant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Datuk Pang Yuk Ming said the turtle conservation programme was a small product which would attract tourists to that area especially to the districts of Semporna, Tawau, Kunak and Lahad Datu.

“Turtle species are touristic icons which should be appropriately developed because Sabah is known worldwide for its diving centre activities,” he said to newsmen after launching the programme which was participated by volunteers from in and outside the country. According to him, his ministry supports the efforts in turtle conservation as it is seen to be able to increase public’s awareness towards the sustainability of turtle population in Sabah.

Meanwhile, Senior Lecturer at UMS Borneo Marine Research Institute, Dr. Pushpa M. Palaniappan said about 700 green turtles and hawksbill turtle were tagged for the purpose of research around the areas of Mabul and Sipadan Islands.

“As of now, 150 turtle have been tagged at Mabul Island and 535 at Sipadan Island which are estimated to be between eight and 20 years old,” he said. Also present at the function was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) UMS, Prof. Dr. Shahril Yusof. - FL

By: Faezah Mohamad Dun
Photo: Suzeanywati Gasinin
                                                                                                                                                        Information and Media Section, Corporate Relations Division

THURSDAY, 23 MAY – Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) researchers once again showed a commendable achievement when they successfully won six gold and seven silver in the International Invention, Innovation & Technology Exhibition (ITEX) 2013 recently.

The medals were obtained through 14 researches contested at the exhibition which was held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), Kuala Lumpur.

The researchers who contributed gold were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chye Fook Yee with his research entitled ‘An Innovation Method for Dehydrated Fruit with Probiotics’; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Maher Fouad Sefein with his research called ‘A Simulator for Nasal Packing Procedures Management Of Nasal Bleeding’ and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iftikhar – ‘Modified Impact Factor (MiF) at Specialty Level With Colour Coding.’

Also contributing to gold was Assoc. Prof. Dr. Balan Rathakrishnan with his research entitled ‘Psychiatricsoftools: Mental Health Assessment Tools via Online’; Dr. Tan Choon Keong – ‘Creative Personality Analyser’ (CPA) and Aq. Ahmad Mohd. Yunus with his research called ‘UMS TT Blade.’

As for the silver medals, two were obtained through Dr. Patricia Matanjun. The other silver medallists were Dr. Mohamad Nizam Nazarudin, Dr. Rosalyn R. Porle, Dr. Sivakumar Kumaresan, Dr. Rachel Fran Mansa and Kenneth Teo Tze Kin.

UMS Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research and Innovation, Prof. Dr. Shahril Yusof were also present to inject support and offered his congratulations to the success of all researchers who brought honour to UMS. He hoped that this success would continue at national and international levels in future.

ITEX 2013 is an international exhibition organised by the Malaysian Invention and Design Society (MINDS) for the 24^th time in collaboration with the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation and the Ministry of Education Malaysia. – FL

By: Salbinous Saribun
Souce: Mohd. Aiddy Suffian Abd. Rashid, PPI

                                                                                                                               Information and Media Section, Corporate Relations Division

TUESDAY, 21 MAY - Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) emerged champions at the recent Sabah Technical Institutions Football Championship (PKK). UMS defeated host PKK with a goal of 1-0 at the finals.

UMS, as the invited team started their game with Politeknik Sandakan (PSS) with a score of 3-0. This winning streak continued when they narrowly defeated Institut Kemahiran Mara (IKM) before trouncing the team of Institut Kemahiran Belia Negara (IKBN) with a score of 4-0.

The game between UMS and PKK was full of action when both teams were in attacking mode. However, at the second half, UMS changed their tactics and successfully controlled the game by their attacks right through the opponent’s goal. The first goal came during the second half when the replacement player wearing jersey number 21, Andi Habbibi Ambo pushed the ball that was sent in through a corner shot by Memet Kaya which defeated PKK thus lifting UMS as the champions.

PKK took the second spot whilst third place went to PSS. IKBN and IKM each took the forth and fifth placings.

Meanwhile, the Head Coach of UMS team David Johnny was satisfied with the showmanship of his players throughout the championship. He said that the championship was in preparation for the forthcoming Borneo Higher Institutions Football League Championship which will end in the middle of June. At the championship, UMS team proved their prowess when they were declared champions, winning all their matches.

Source: Sports Science Programme, SPPS

                                                                                                                              Information and Media Section, Corporate Relations Division