THURSDAY, 9 NOVEMBER - Much to the surprise of the first year students participating in the Fun-tastic race at UMS on Saturday, 4 November, learning English tenses and parts of speech actually turned out to be ‘good fun’. The students were all from UB00102 Communicative English Grammar, a foundation English course offered by the Centre for the Promotion of Knowledge and Language Learning (CPKLL).

The 35 challengers tried their level best to communicate in English as they undertook ten challenges at ten stations located in the vicinity of CPKLL. Examples of the communicative challenges were ‘describe and draw’, charades, relaying a message, and riddles. The participants also enjoyed solving clues to find ten ‘treasures’ and taking wefies with these ‘treasures’ along the way to different stations.  

Many of the participants said that they learned more about the English language and teamwork from taking part in the race. When asked to comment on the event, one participant responded, “It’s really fantastic! Love it! It can improve our communication skills in English, team spirit, and problem solving skills.”

Judging from the positive responses from the participants, this event evidently transformed the shy low proficiency students  into active users of English as the constraints of a formal teacher-centred  classroom gave way to experiencial learning and gamification.

The fastest team completed the race in 1 ½ hours and won the first prize of RM200. The Chairperson of Funtastic Race 2017 committee, Ms. Loh Yoke Len, pointed out that “The Fun-tastic Race  made every participant a winner as they all contributed to the challenges and overcame them together as a team.”

The race was jointly organised by CPKLL ‘Say it in English’ Campaign headed by Mr. John Mark Storey in collaboration with the Chairperson of UB00102, Ms. Brenda Margaret Wright. She commented, “Having fun with English in a communicative context can spark motivation for all levels of learners.”

In addition, the collective endeavour of 29 second and third year TESL students from the Faculty of Pyschology and Education was a key factor in the success of the race.

The UMS management and the Dean of CPKLL, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jualang Azlan Gansau are very supportive of student-centred learning English activities outside the classroom. Besides the Fun-tastic race, The ‘Say it in English’ Campaign  has also organised a public speaking course  (Speech Craft) in conjuncton with University Toastmasters Club, a short video competition, and a ‘Wonder Wall’ inspirational message competition. More activities are planned for next semester, such as a Film and Ficton Club for lovers of books and movies.

By Loh Yoke Len

FRIDAY, 03 NOVEMBER – A total of seven Exco Members of the Housewives and Women Staff Club (KESUMBA) Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) paid a courtesy call to Universiti Malaysia Sabah Labuan International Campus (UMSKAL) led by its President, Datin Roha Asmara, wife of the Vice-Chancellor of UMS, Prof. Datuk Dr. D Kamarudin D Mudin.

On hand to receive the members was the Chairperson of KESUMBA UMSKAL, Hayati Salleh Baihaki who is also the wife of the Director of UMSKAL, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Murnizam Hj Halik.

In his speech, the Director of UMSKAL congratulated KESUMBA for its role in empowering women thus helping the surrounding community to move hand in hand in achieving the desired goals.

“Rather than we talk to others about something we want to achieve, it is better that we achieve something that others talk about,” said the Director.

Earlier, the Chairperson of KESUMBA UMSKAL, Hayati Salleh Baihaki thanked its members who had assisted the surrounding communities in their quest for a better society such as giving a hand to the Persatuan Autisme Labuan and Tadika KEMAS.

Persatuan Autisme Labuan is the first of its kind to be set up within a university campus ground, and similarly for Tadika KEMAS as well.

The three-day visit also included other activities as the members foster closer relationship with their respective new Exco line-up.

A similar courtesy visit is planned for UMS Sandakan Branch in the near future. - FL

FRIDAY, 3 NOVEMBER - Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and the Maritime Institute of Malaysia (MIMA) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) on the 31st of October 2017 for cooperation to address issues on security in Sabah, specifically in the EssZone are. 

Vice Admiral (R) Tan Sri Dato Seri Ahmad Ramli b. Hj. Mohd Nor, Chairman and First Admiral (R) Dato Chin Yoon Chin, Director General, signed on behalf of MIMA whilst Prof. Datuk Dr D. Kamarudin M. Mudin, Vice Chancellor and No’Man Hj. Ahmad, Registrar, signed on behalf of UMS.

The event was witnessed by Datuk Rodzi Md Saad, Director Sabah National Security Council (Sabah NSC), Captain Martin A. Sebastian, Senior Research Fello of MIMA, Prof. Dr. Ismail Ali, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Ismail Ibrahim, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Heritage (FKSW), as well as Diana Peters, Head of International Relations Programme, FKSW.

This MoA formalises the joint collaborations by MIMA, UMS and NSC Sabah on the KESBAN (Keselamatan dan Pembangunan – Security and Development) at Sea project which had started since 2015.

This collaboration is aimed at proposing a holistic security approach through the development of a Balanced Scorecard for the ESSZone Committee as a management framework. The ESSZone is a necessary initiative in response to recent security issues in Sabah. It is seen as an attempt to contextualise the issues occurring in the region that is not solely restricted to security, but also to ensure livelihoods of citizens are being protected.

The effort is also to identify workable solution on an intricate matter with a myriad of issues. However, concerns still remain on its implementation and monitoring and it was highly suggested that a more collaborative approach, one that extends beyond government machinery and encompasses community leaders and civil society is needed.

As a policy research institute set up by the Malaysian Government to look into matters relating to Malaysia's interest at sea, and to serve as a national focal point for research in the maritime sector. The Institute takes a comprehensive approach in dealing with maritime issues.

Its role is to deal with national, regional and global maritime matters affecting Malaysia. a more collaborative approach, one that extends beyond government machinery and encompasses community leaders and civil society is needed. Thus, this project will not only address the challenges to traditional security, but also address management of scarce resources and duplication of efforts.

Prior to the signing, four workshops had been organised in 2016 based on the four pillars for a holistic approach, namely, economy, socio-politics, marine environment and security-defence led by experts from UMS and MIMA. Logistic supports throughout the workshops were provided by Sabah NSC. Workshop reports from these workshops are available on the MIMA website.

With the signing of the MoA, Phase II of the KESBAN at Sea project will involve the setting up of the Technical Committee to develop the Balanced Scorecard and the Steering Committee at state level to drive the effort.

MONDAY, 25 SEPTEMBER – The Housewives and Women Staff Club (KESUMBA), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) paid a courtesy call to the consort of the Head of State who is the Patron of KESUMBA, Toh Puan Hajah Norlidah Tan Sri R.M. Jasni at Istana Negeri, Kota Kinabalu recently.

The 10 member delegation was led by its President, Roha Asmara, wife of UMS Vice-Chancellor.

During the briefing, Roha introduced the new line-up of the 2017-2019 Exco and explained the past and upcoming activities of KESUMBA to the Patron, which included a Charity Dinner next year with some students of UMS under the B40 programme.

Toh Puan Norlidah expressed her support  in KESUMBA’s activities particularly in helping the underpriviledged and urged KESUMBA to continue with its noble gesture.

Roha further explained that KESUMBA would also be organising a Seminar on Family, and Women’s Health Talk besides other interesting activities geared towards women.

Also present during the courtesy call were the Deputy President of the Club, Dr. Aza Sherin Mohamad Yusuff; Honorary Secretary, Stella @ Nurul Martini Gontol and other Exco members. - FL