WEDNESDAY, 17 APRIL – After making a pit stop at Kota Marudu, Sandakan, Penampang, Beaufort and Tuaran, the Care 4 Malaysia Programme ‘A Step to the Ivory Tower’ (SEMEGA) 2013 organised by the Student Affairs & Alumni (HEP), UMS continued their journey to Nabawan Zone.

More than 300 visitors comprising students of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Nabawan attended the programme which was held for one day at the school.  The opening ceremony was officiated by the Nabawan District Education Management Office Unit Head, Ariffin Antikoh representing Datuk Bobbey Ahfang Suan.

In his speech he said as citizens we should be aware, understand and recognise our responsibility in the development our culture and nation.  Thus he said the SEMEGA programme organised by UMS should be commended as noble effort such as this would be able to rouse their love for knowledge.  He also recommended that this programme and activity be continuously promoted.

Also present at the programme was the Director of UMS Alumni Centre, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mahmud Sudin.

By Musaab Umair

                                                                                                           Information and Media Section, Corporate Relations Division

WEDNESDAY, 17 APRIL – About 48 participants participated in 3^rd Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Closed Bowling Championship recently.  The championship was held to uncover new talents and was divided into two categories namely Man and Woman Individual Categories.

Mohamad Razwan Abdul Rahman from the School of Engineering and Information Technology (SKTM) emerged the champion in the Man’s Category with 625 pinfall beating 19 other competitors.  1^st Runner-up was won by a student from the School of Social Sciences (SSS), Mohamad Irsyad Saafiq Endut with 604 pinfall followed by Abdul Karim Hasan from the School of Psychology and Social Work (SPKS) the 2^nd Runner-up with a total of 574 pinfall.

For the Woman’s Catergory, Dionysia Ginsos and Norsayza Mat Saad from the School of Business and Economics (SPE) each won the first and third placings with a total of 574 and 512 pinfall.  While Farah Naila Rusnan from SKTM emerged the 1^st Runner-up with 527 pinfall.

The official closing and award presentation ceremony was done by Charles Thomas, the Youth and Sports Officer of UMS.  All winners will automatically represent the university at UMS Sports Council Championship (MASUM) and also the Borneo University Students Sports (SUKMAB) 2013.

Meanwhile, UMS Sport Science lecturer, Dr. Mohamad Nizam Nazarudin who was in attendance at the championship said that the quality of all players should be improved if we want to compete at a higher level given the average results which is only at 150.  Thus, he mentioned the need to improve further on our practices which will be monitored by competent coaches. – FL

Source: Dr. Mohamad Nizam Nazarudin, SPPS

                                                                                                          Information and Media Section, Corporate Relations Division

TUESDAY, 16 APRIL – More than 160 local and foreign participants attended the International Malaria Symposium 2013 organised by the School of Medicine (SPU) Universiti Malaysia Sabah starting today.  The symposium was organised at one of the leading hotels in Kota Kinabalu, and serves as a platform for knowledge sharing on the malaria disease which is seen as a world society problem.

The ceremony was officiated by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation, Prof. Dr. Shahril Yusof representing the Vice-Chancellor of UMS, Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd. Harun Abdullah.  In his speech he said that health problems caused by malaria is of grave and urgent concern.  He said in the World Malaria Report 2010, it was stated that the malaria disease affected half of the world population, with an estimation of 216 million cases and 655,000 deaths around the world.

According to him, there are four species of malaria found in Malaysia, and Sabah has the highest infection rate.

“Malaria knowlesi is the most common cause of severe malaria in the northeast of Sabah.  It has a three-fold greater risk of severity than the falciparum malaria, and it accounts for the majority of malaria admissions to several district hospitals throughout Sabah and Sarawak,” he said.

He added, in the period 2007-2009, knowlesi infections accounted for 78% of all malaria in Kudat, a total of 172 cases.

“The malaria parasite has the shortest replication period of 24 hour in the red blood cells, and when the parasite load is high, it can lead to severe malaria and malaria death in knowlesi infections.  In 2012, it has been reported that knowlesi infection has caused five deaths in Sabah,” he said in his speech at the official opening ceremony of the symposium with the theme ‘New Challenge and Strategies in Malaria Control’.

Thus he said the organising of the symposium is indeed timely as it gathers experts from all over the world to share their expertise and knowledge.

“Let’s hope that this symposium will uncover the best method to eradicate malaria not only here in Sabah, but all over the world,” he said.

Also present at the function were the Dean of the School of Medicine, Prof. Dr. D Kamarudin D Mudin and the Chairman of the symposium, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chua Tock Hing.

 
By: Salbinous Saribun/Feria Lee
Photo: Musaab Umair

                                                                                                         Information and Media Section, Corporate Relations Division

TUESDAY, 16 APRIL – UMS today signed an agreement with UMSLink-Silverkris Sdn Bhd and META Skills Training Services Sdn Bhd to jointly collaborate on the initiative for human capital development in the Oil & Gas Industry.

This agreement was sealed in a signing ceremony held at the Grand Ballroom of the Magellan Sutera, Sutera Harbour Resort, Kota Kinabalu.  UMS was represented by its Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs & Alumni) Assoc. Prof. Datuk Dr. Hj. Kasim Hj. Md. Mansur while UMSLink-Silverkris Sdn Bhd was represented by its Director, Willie Ng and META Skills Training Services Sdn Bhd by its Director & Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Paduka Udani bin Dato’ Seri Mohamed Daud.  Among the witnesses at the signing ceremony were Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah, the Minister of Industrial Development and Datuk K. Y. Mustafa, the Director of UMSLink Holdings Sdn Bhd.

Through this agreement, the three agencies will collaborate towards the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Oil & Gas human capital development.  This will promote life-long learning and allow for a structured system where it is possible to progress from various entry levels into skill training, diploma and degree.  For that, META Skills will provide various skill training programmes relevant to Oil & Gas, construction and other industries.  Advanced Diploma and Diploma programmes in Engineering (Oil & Gas Operations) in four disciplines will be offered by TAS Institute of Oil & Gas while UMS will be offering Bachelor degree and Master degree programmes in Engineering.

By: Mohd. Affzanizam Mohd. Amin/Feria Lee

Photos: Johaidi Ismail

                                                                                                       Information and Media Section, Corporate Relations Division