KOTA KINABALU: The Confucius Institute (CI) of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) hopes to have a deeper working relationship with the state Education Department in promoting Chinese language learning in local schools.

CI UMS director Prof Dr Low Kok On said at the moment, the institute offered free Level One Chinese language learning programmes at SMK Gadong, Beaufort.

“We will apply to the Sabah Education Department to allow us to promote the learning of han yu shui pin kao shi (HSK), a Chinese language course recognised internationally,” he said in a statement on Monday (Nov 21).

He said students with at least a level four HSK certificate have the opportunity to further their studies in China.

“That’s also why we plan to open up more Chinese language classes for other schools in Sabah,” he added.

He also paid a visit to state Education Director Datuk Tah Niah Jaman at her office on Monday.

Prof Low said apart from promoting Chinese language learning to more Sabahans, CI UMS will also help students apply for scholarships if they wish to further their studies in China.

CI UMS was established in 2019 with the aim of introducing the Chinese language and culture to interested parties in the state, and is open to all Sabahans regardless of age.

KOTA KINABALU: The relevant authorities have been urged to take natural disasters seriously following the floods in Tenom, Keningau and Beaufort.

Senior lecturer from the Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Ts. Dr Noor Sheena Herayani Harith said natural disasters such as debris flows need to be taken seriously, especially when it comes to the construction of large structures such as bridges and dams.

“Residents around Tenom, Keningau and Beaufort were shocked by a flood that destroyed several areas as a result of continuous rain on Tuesday morning, November 1.

“There was also a debris flow incident in the Tenom Pangi Hydro Dam area, which has resulted in damage to residents’ property.

“In my opinion, the Tenom Pangi Hydro Dam was built to supply electricity to the surrounding areas, and not as a reservoir for excess water,” she said.

Dr Noor Sheena, who is also UMS Principal Research Fellow for the Natural Disaster Research Center (NDRC) said the damage of the dam is caused by the debris flow which consists of stones and trees that have drifted and accumulated in the part of the dam.

“Debris flow is one of the deadly geological hazards and can cause property damage, especially in Malaysia. This incident is likely to occur as a result of there being a landslide area nearby due to prolonged rain before being washed away by the river current and finally accumulating in the dam area.

“Due to the large level of storage and load, the dam structure could not bear the unexpected load and subsequently, collapsed. Due to this incident, the excess debris has overflowed and flooded the area around the dam, further damaging and burying several building structures, especially nearby residential areas and vehicles.

“A similar incident can be seen from the post-earthquake events that followed the landslides and prolonged rains in 2015 in the Mesilau and Ranau areas. The incident caused a landslide and further flow of debris in the Mesilou area, where the bridge structure has collapsed and drifted away due to excessive loads,” she added.

According to Dr Noor Sheena, the time has come for natural disasters such as debris flows to be taken seriously, especially when it comes to the construction of large structures such as bridges and dams.

“Take into account the analysis of the debris flow model to reduce the risk and damage caused by natural disasters,” she said.

KOTA KINABALU: Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) received a shot in the arm with RM2 million funding from the Sabah government to boost its research.

Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the research effort would open up new opportunities for learning and growth and he hoped to see UMS doing more in this area.

"Hence, I am pleased to announce the state government's contribution of RM2 million to the UMS research fund.

"I hope this will spur the university's research agenda," he said at the "Aku Janji" pledge ceremony in conjunction with the orientation week of new students for the 2022/2023 intake at the UMS Chancellor Hall recently.

Present were the new UMS vice-chancellor, Prof Datuk Dr Kasim Md Mansur, Special Tasks and Coordination Minister and State Education Exco, Datuk Ariffin Arif and Chairman of the UMS Board of Directors, Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan.

A total of 4,576 students have been selected for the new intake of which 60.6 per cent or 2,770 are from Sabah and 1,144 from other states, 582 from Sarawak and 23 international students.

In his speech, Hajiji hoped more youths will be involved in the election process since all citizens were automatically registered as voters upon reaching 18 years of age.

"It is not just because you are registered automatically, but it is your responsibility as a citizen to choose the country's government," he said.

The Pro-Chancellor of UMS also advised the new students who come from different religious and racial backgrounds to make UMS the platform to continue maintaining and strengthening the unity that has been forged between them.

"Through such understanding, there will be racial and religious harmony and unity. We must always be united in order to preserve peace and prosperity," he said.

Hajiji added that as the next echelon of leaders, the younger generation had the responsibility to equip themselves with knowledge, skills and high morals with impeccable etiquette through education.

"Youth must be given the opportunity to formulate the nation's development policies. In recent years, more youths have come forward to be involved in several state elections in Malaysia, which showed their readiness to contribute in terms of ideas and energy in developing the country."

The Sabah government has always provided space and opportunities for youths in Sabah to be involved in the process in a more holistic way through several initiatives like the Sabah Youth Parliament as well as Sabah Maju Jaya Fellow programmes under the purview of the Youth and Sports Ministry.

The first batch of 24 graduates were selected for the Sabah Maju Jaya Fellow programme to undergo a six-month guidance programme in all 12 state ministries in March this year.

KOTA KINABALU: It was a dream come true for Nursyazliana Bulkia when she was offered a place at Universiti Malaysia Sabah.

The 19-year-old graduated from Labuan Matriculation College in accounting with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.92, but almost had to give up her dream to continue her studies due to financial constraints.

Nursyazliana found new hope through the Higher Education Ministry's Siswa Sulung Keluarga Malaysia (Sulung) programme.

She was among 10 students from low-income families offered places at UMS. She will pursue a Bachelors of Accounting with Honours degree in for four years.

"I'm so happy with the offer. To be honest, I almost give up on further studies due to financial problems. I didn't want to trouble my family, but Alhamdulillah, I received an offer from UMS.

"The offer letter was personally delivered by UMS vice chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Kasim Mansor and other officials at my home in Putatan.

"Kasim also presented cash assistance of RM1,000 and a basket of food to facilitate initial arrangements for studying at UMS.

"I accepted the offer because I didn't want to miss the opportunity to continue my studies. It is my dream to get a degree and become an accountant," she told the New Straits Times when met after the student pledge ceremony at the UMS Chancellor Hall here today.

Nursyazliana, whose parents are factory workers, believed that knowledge and education could change the fate of those in the B40 category, especially in improving their socio-economic level.

"I want my parents and my siblings to be proud of me. They are my motivation. I want to become a successful student. I hope to achieve Dean's List Award every semester.

"It is no easy task to excel academically but this is my commitment. I don't need to worry about money while studying. All I need to do is to focus on my studies and change the fate of my family," said the fourth of five siblings.

The Sulung programme was the brainchild of caretaker Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad to help the first person in a family from the B40 group attend university.

The programme will enable outstanding B40 students the opportunity to further their studies despite facing financial constraints as well as provide motivation for family members and the local community.

Selected students not only get a special entry route to public universities but are also offered scholarships, monthly allowances, hostels and mentoring until they get a job.

The programme involves eight public universities including UMS and each university will take about 10 students in the first year of this programme's implementation.

A total of 76 students from the B40 group in the country have been selected to pursue their studies at public universities through the programme.