MONDAY, 28 MARCH – Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Alumni were urged to give back to the development of the university in various aspects for mutual benefit.

Chairman of the Board of Directors of UMS, Tun Zaki Tun Azmi said that UMS alumni now stood at 52,120 who would be able to give back to the university not only in terms of industrial cooperation but also in the form of cash.

“Leading universities such as Harvard University for example, has an endowment fund that has so far managed to raise US$32 billion in funds, donated by the alumni of the university.

“Therefore, I advise graduates to respond and do your part for the university by contributing or donating to UMS for its development,” he said when officiating at the Homecoming Alumni programme held at one of the leading hotels in Kota Kinabalu, last Saturday.

Tun Zaki also challenged UMS Alumni Association to hold a similar event next year in Kuala Lumpur and gather some 1,000 alumni who were there and also placing their fundraising target at RM1 million.

Meanwhile, UMS Alumni Association President, Datuk Dr. Janathan Kandok said the association had collected a total sum of RM100,000.

“A Special Committee Meeting on the establishment would be held on 22 March and had agreed on a donation of RM40,000 to UMS, not in the form of cash but infrastructure for the convenience of students,” he disclosed.

Tun Zaki also contributed a song entitled, “My Way” and managed to raise RM100,000 for the alumni fund. – MA (fl)

Photo: Musaab Umair

MONDAY, 28 MARCH – The Charity Book Run and Ride programme organised around Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) campus on Saturday received encouraging response with more than 150 entries.

This activity which was jointly organised by UMS Library, Bursar Department, the Development and Maintenance Department (JPP), Department of Information Technology and Communication (JTMK) and the Librarians Association of Malaysia Sabah Chapter witnessed participants ran a distance of 7 kilometres and 12 kilometres of cycling.

Librarian, Mohd Adam Sabri Magi from UMS Library representing the organisers said  the programme among others hoped to foster the spirit of camaraderie among UMS community and the surrounding public whilst instilling the culture of healthy living through recreational activities and inculcate the desire to share knowledge through book donations.

“The programme which is based on sports saw participants contributing at least two books each that were either academic or novel, placed at UMS Library and would be donated to schools and institutions around Kota Kinabalu,” he said when met by UMS Media representative.

Adam added that the first 20 participants who managed to finish the race would win medals and certificates.

The flagging off was officiated by UMS Registrar, No’man Hj. Ahmad at Dewan Canselor (Chancellor Hall) premises.

Also present were Senior Deputy Head Librarian cum Chairman of the Librarians Association of Malaysia Sabah Chapter, Zawawi Tiyunin; Director of JPP, Kamisah Husin; Acting Bursar, Zallifah Shadan and Director of JTMK, Noor Hapipah Samat. – SM (fl)

Photo: Johaidi Ismail

THURSDAY, 24 MARCH – Three students who are currently undertaking their Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree will represent Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) at the “3 Minute Thesis Competition 2016” national level after securing places at the competition at UMS level held yesterday.

They were Ruslan Mapeala, Lai Yun mei and Lorita Angeline, who would represent UMS under their respective category, Social Sciences, Science and Technology and Engineering.

They will compete at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) on 10 May for placing to the international level, representing Malaysia.

Meanwhile, the UMS level competition saw eight third year PhD students competing, an programme organised by the Centre for Postgraduate Studies, UMS.

All winners received cash prize of RM200 each and certificate whilst the rest of the participants received certificate of appreciation.

Held at the Postgraduate Auditorium, the competition was adjudged by Head of UMS-Timor Leste Relations, Associate Professor Dr. Lai Yew Meng; Senior Lecturers Associate Professor Dr. Nurmin Bolong and Dr. Yasmin Ooi Beng Houi. - FL

THURSDAY, 24 MARCH – Six Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) students were among 100 who volunteered to join the YSS ASEAN Student Volunteers Mission organised by the Student Volunteers Foundation (YSS) for three weeks that ended on 8 March.

The six were, Mohd. Farhan Firdaus Jeffri, Glenna Mouren, Siti Nurhidayah Samsudin, Aina Nasuha Asman, Mohd Afi Haziq Sapili and Saibie Saiba.

The project provided opportunities for the volunteers to contribute to repairing public amenities at villages such as Kampung Batang Lupar, Kampung Nyimoh and Kampung Nanga Temalat located at Song District.

Among them were, building or an arch at every village, pedestrian walkway, painting of school walls and laboratory room including touch-ups to the school and tuition areas for the school students.

The finale of the YSS ASEAN Volunteers Mission to Sarawak was officiated by the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development cum Member of Parliament for Batang Lupar, Dato’ Sri Hajah Rohani Hj. Ab. Karim.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni), Associate Professor Dr. Ismail Ali supported the volunteerism effort and hoped that the same mission would be conducted at UMS where repairing of public amenities could be done. – (fl)

Source: Nurlina Arappe

WEDNESDAY, 23 MARCH – The Association of Management and Professional Officers Non-Academic Universiti Malaysia Sabah (PPUMS) helped raise the awareness on healthy lifestyle by organising a Sports Carnival, recently.

PPUMS President, Azmi Jumat said that this initiative was to encourage its members comprising non-academic staff not to overlook their health despite their hectic schedule.

“This is also to strengthen the relationship amongst members of the association through the handful of sporting activities organised such as basketball and volleyball as well as futsal mix,” he said at the association’s annual activities held at UMS Arena.

Also present was the Registrar cum Advisor of PPUMS, No’man Datuk Hj. Ahmad.

Azmi also said that PPUMS had planned various activities for 2016 such as a conference and community service programmes.

For the record, PPUMS has 210 members comprising various schemes and grades. – (fl)

Source: Nordin Norhana, HEP
Photo: PPUMS