KOTA KINABALU: The Pahang government is urging more of its people to pursue tertiary education so that they can contribute to the state's development.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said while there was no shortage of human resources in the state, he wished that more anak Pahang would return after completing their tertiary education.

"Pahang has a large population and there are resources. However, we cannot even find anak Pahang to be appointed district police chief.

"It is not about kenegerian or looking down on those who come from other states, but Pahang
is experiencing a shortage of local-born talent to hold important positions.

"Hopefully, there will be more academicians. It will be better if more are enrolled in universities, as when they study, they will have knowledge to give back to Pahang," he said when presenting the Bantuan Prihatin Pahang cash aid at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) here.

Present was UMS Vice-Chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Taufiq Yap Yun Hin.

Through the Pahang government's Program Jaminan Kerjaya, there are 2,000 high-paying jobs
for Pahang graduates in information technology, engineering, finance, business and other related fields.

In April, the Pahang government, through Yayasan Pahang, announced the RM30 million 2022 Bantuan Prihatin Pahang initiative to benefit almost 300,000 recipients.

The one-off RM200 cash assistance to about 250 UMS students from Pahang is part of the RM9 million allocation under the Bantuan Prihatin Pahang to be given to 43,000 students nationwide.

"It is my hope that the donation would help students meet their needs.

"Although RM200 is not a big amount, the state government is always concerned about the welfare of Pahang students and will provide assistance."

He said UMS was the first stop for himself and Pahang officials, including exco members and the state secretary, to meet students.

Wan Rosdy said the visit was also to build rapport with students, who had to study far from their hometowns and families.

"It is just a normal programme, but for some, including Datuk Dr Taufiq, it is special, as this is also the first time a Pahang menteri besar has come to meet him.

"Students can also meet and get to know government leaders," he said, adding that the delegation would also visit universities in other states.

Wan Rosdy said students should keep abreast of current issues while excelling in their studies.

"It is one of the virtues for students to learn as much as possible but they also have to know about current developments in the state and country.

"They have to know about politics and the economy. This is part of the criteria as university students," he said, adding that youngsters now were given the privilege of voting.

He also highlighted the state's capability to be self-sufficient, including its stable finances.

He said the state raked in between RM760 million and RM890 million in annual revenue from 2019 to 2021.

This year, the state is aiming for RM1 billion in revenue.

As for other collaborations between Pahang and Sabah, Wan Rosdy said they were keen to work on experience and expertise exchanges.

"We know there are things that we came across but are not being implemented in Sabah. That's why we would like to invite UMS to discuss potential collaborations with us.

"However, it is still at the early stage, there is no concept yet. But we are confident of our strengths that can be accepted and adopted."

Possible collaborations, he said, included tourism and education opportunities for both states.

Wan Rosdy said each state was blessed differently in terms of its natural attractions and food.

He said Sabah had Gunung Kinabalu and delicious food, while Pahang had Gunung Tahan, Cameron Highlands and several islands.

"This, we can share together (in terms of promotion and other exchanges).

"Yayasan Sabah has also sent its students to Peninsular Malaysia. This will be the same for Pahang."

UMS's Majlis Mahasiswa Anak-Anak Pahang leader, Noratiqah Sukri, 24, said on behalf of Pahang students, she wanted to extend her gratitude and appreciation to the state government for the visit and cash assistance.

When asked about the cost of living in Sabah, compared with Pahang, she said it was still bearable.

"UMS is one of the universities in which the cost of living is not so high.

"Even in Sabah, (the cost of living) is still acceptable," said the post-graduate student in historical literature.

KOTA KINABALU: A mother held back tears upon hearing her late daughter's name being called at the 23rd Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) convocation ceremony here this morning.

Cheng Lak Mooi, 65, received the scroll on behalf of her daughter Ng Yi Ming, 35, from the Sabah Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin.

Ng, a recipient of the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) high-level degree in psychology, died from heart related problems last year. 

"Before receiving a PhD in psychology at UMS, my daughter received a Bachelor's Degree Honours in Industrial and Organisational Psychology at the same varsity. 

"Besides that, she is also the recipient of a Master of Science in Child Developmental Psychology from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)," she said. 

Cheng said the family is proud of Ng's high achievement despite her poor health condition. 

She said her daughter had undergone valve replacement surgery in September 2014 and after the operation, Ng often suffered from heart palpitations. 

"She breathed her last on Feb 21 last year after over 20 years of suffering from 'mitral valve prolapse'," she added. 

"She had made her presentation on Jan 21 last year before being given three months to correct the thesis. 

"She did it despite having to face poor health", she said.

KOTA KINABALU: Ahar Tabe who was born blind received his Bachelor of Social Science with Honours (Sociology and Social Anthropology) degree at Universiti Malaysia Sabah's (UMS) 23rd convocation ceremony, here.

The fifth of seven siblings from Tawau said that he faced a lot of challenges in pursuing tertiary education due to his disability.

"It is undeniable that everything requires eyesight, so I utilised creativity to solve it. The current technological advancement has also helped people with disability like me to face such challenges," he said in a statement.

Ahar attributed his success to UMS which provided the necessary facilities to help him and other disabled undergraduates in completing their studies.

The university has an OKU Management Centre which specifically manages matters related to people with disabilities.

"UMS provides special transportation for students with disabilities. We just call the bus and it will be sent to our class.

"I am glad to get to this level, despite the many challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic," he added.

Ahar is now undergoing six months of job training at a local company.

PITAS: Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Knowledge Transfer Programme in Kampung Pituru and Bongkol here last Nov 26-27 has given benefits to the villagers in the aspects of foreign language introduction and e-business.

Deputy Dean of Research, Innovation, and Community Services, Knowledge and Language Promotion Center (PPIB), Associate Professor Dr Halina Sendera Mohd Yakin, who accompanied a group of about 20 academic support staff and students, said the programme was aimed at building a network of cooperation with outside organisations as well as the villagers.

“This programme also builds networks with the local community through gotong royong programs and activities as well as knowledge transfer,” she said, adding, participants from UMS also gained knowledge about planting of eucalyptus pelita trees by Acacia Forest Industries (AFI) Sdn Bhd.

The programme themed ‘Love Green Pitas’ was implemented as a result of cooperation between PPIB UMS and Acacia Forest Industries Sdn Bhd as well as residents from the two villages.

The implementation of the programme in Kg Pituru and Kg Bongkol also received the support of the Village Heads (KK) and the  Village Community Management Committee (JPKK) Chairmen of the two villages.

The gotong royong activities involve working together to repair and paint the Kg Pituru community hall, cleaning, repairing and painting the tamu site, futsal arena and multipurpose hall as well as making Kg Bongkol landmarks.

While knowledge transfer involves the introduction of foreign languages such as English, Mandarin and French as well as basic e-business courses conducted by PPIB academics.

Meanwhile, the staff of Acacia Forest Industries briefed the participants from UMS on the planting of Eucalyptus pelita trees and its plantation which is the main business activity of the company.

The community programme here is run by Dr Abdul Hair Beddu Assis as the Head of the CSR Knowledge Transfer Programme, who is also the Chairman of the PPIB Community Engagement Committee.

Dr Mohd Norazan Abdullah, Dr Rudy Ansar, Mohamad Aqmal Hafidz Musa, Kwan Yien Yee and Azee Marnitta Lagason handled the knowledge transfer.

The UMS delegation comprised Dr Abang Mohamad Razif Abang Muis, Erwin Rusfian Rukkung, Amina Ali, Nur Atikah Rahman, Mohammad Fazley Madnin, Saidatul Sahirah Adam, Nevashiny A/P Karuppiah, Fauziah Nasir and several PLUMS students.

The implementation of the programme has the strong support of the Dean of PPIB, Associate Professor Dr Lai Yew Meng and Head of PPIB Administration, Deputy Registrar Sirahim Abdullah.