TUESDAY, 02 AUGUST – Faculty of Sustainable Agriculture (FPL), Sandakan emerged as the recipient of the Most Active Organisation in organising blood donation campaigns in Sandakan throughout 2015.

The UMS Sandakan Blood Donation Campaign organiser, Wilson Azahari said, the award was presented by the Duchess of Kent Hospital (HDOK) in a ceremony to award organisations and the public in conjunction with World Blood Donation Day, recently.

When contacted, he said, FPL UMS Sandakan was chosen as the organisation that had the most blood donation campaigns, which was six in total.

“The award or recognition is not the priority, but in creating awareness and in support of the HDOK Sandakan Blood Bank to meet the shortage of blood that often happens, especially during peak period like festive seasons,” he said.

Wilson said the campaign indirectly promoted FPL UMS to the surrounding communities in Sandakan.

The award presenting ceremony was graced by the Director of HDOK, Dr. Francis Paul.

Apart from the Most Active Organisation Award, Dr. Francis Paul also expressed his appreciation to the organisations that managed to get the highest number of blood donors including active donors from among the community, people with special needs (OKU) and HDOK staff itself.

FPL will hold its next Blood Donation Drive on 28 October 2016, in conjunction with the Faculty of Sustainable Agriculture 10^th anniversary on 24-30 October 2016. – SS (fl) 

Source: Faculty of Sustainable Agriculture

MONDAY, 01 AUGUST – The Housewives and Women’s Association (PUSPANITA), International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) paid a courtesy call to the Housewives and Women Staff Club (KESUMBA) of Universiti Malaysia Sabah this morning.

The delegation from IIUM was led by the Director of Student Affairs and Development, who is also the Chairman of PUSPANITA IIUM, also known as ‘Nur El-Shams’, Hafsah Mohd Yusoff.

The delegation was warmly welcomed by the Exco and members of KESUMBA at Teratak KESUMBA, UMS.

Speaking at the gathering, Hafsah expressed their intention to learn more about the activities that KESUMBA had held that benefitted their members, and ways to attract more members among staff to join the association.

“Our association was established only two years ago, and so far our members stood at more than 180,” she disclosed.

The 21-member delegation also visited UMS Museum and the Campus Radio Station, KKFM. – FL

FRIDAY, 29 JULY – Realising the importance of volunteerism, the Yayasan Sukarelawan Siswa (YSS), an entity under the purview of the Higher Education Ministry recently sent 50 student volunteers to participate in the “Green Summer Volunteer Campaign Vietnam 2016”.  The volunteerism, which started on 10 July and will end on 14 August is part of capacity building in training Volunteer Leaders.

Known in Vietnamese as “Mùa Hè Xanh”, is the 23^rd annual event held in Vietnam.  Malaysia, through YSS, became the only recognised foreign entity to join the volunteer campaign with the collaboration of the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Union.

UMS is represented by Asmah Kadir, Muhamad Ezyree Jakaria and Azizul Adzim Salimin.

During the five weeks duration, 50 volunteers from public and private universities, polytechnics, community colleges and teacher education institutes along with the Vietnamese students from Foreign Trade University, the University of Economics and Law and Ho Chi Minh City International University will carry out volunteer  work at Tan Thong Hoi Commune, in the Cu Chi District, and two more at Nhon Duc and Long Thoi Commune, in the District of Na Bhe.

The delegation of Malaysian volunteers is represented by YSS chairman Datuk Zuraidah Atan, who has been coordinating the joint mission collaborations since 2012.

The concept introduced by YSS is part of the first core of the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2015-2025 (Higher Education), which is to produce holistic, entrepreneurial and balanced graduates through experiential learning.

Source:  Nurlina Arappe, YSS MOHE

FRIDAY, 29 JULY – Being committed and having a clear direction are two pillars that were the bases to the success achieved by the Association of Management and Professional Staff Non-Academic UMS (PPUMS) in ensuring that the objectives of the association were achieved.

According to the Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Professor Datuk Dr. Mohd Harun Abdullah, during the 11 years since PPUMS was established, it was obvious that the association had a clear direction other than being committed to the association’s objectives, enabling PPUMS continue to be active and brought about benefit to its members.

“I urged PPUMS to be prompt to remain relevant as an association to be reckoned with, by its members, amongst officers and other UMS staff,” he said when officiating the closing ceremony of the 10^th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of PPUMS held at the Banquet Hall, Dewan Canselor, UMS.  Also present was the Registrar of UMS, No’man Hj. Ahmad; Chief Librarian, Dyg Rukiah Ag Amit, and President of PPUMS, Azmi Jumat.

Datuk Harun added, besides ensuring the welfare of its members, PPUMS should also emphasise on improvements in helping UMS deliver its policies approved by the university, besides acting as a role model to support staff.

At the AGM, PPUMS Executive Committee presented report on the latest development of the association, while adding additional proposals for discussion.

The meeting ended with an Aidilfitri reception that was attended by all PPUMS members and its guest of honour. – (fl)