THURSDAY, 3 MARCH – Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Cooperative (KO-UMS) held a lucky draw 1  Malaysia Book Voucher at the Anjung Siswa Building, recently.

The opening ceremony was officiated by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Student Affairs and Alumni UMS, Associate Professor Dr. Ismail Ali and attended by about 50 students.

At the ceremony, a student from the Faculty of Science and Natural Resources, Fatheen Ellina Abder Nasser won the grand prize of a Demak Scooter worth RM5,000.

Other prizes included 30 hampers, four ASUS laptops and seven mobile phones were up for grabs.

According to Dr. Ismail, the book voucher was a windfall from the government through the Ministry of Higher Education to students of UMS.

“This is a golden opportunity for all students and for them to shop at KO-UMS.  Students must be wise in choosing the right books required for their current study and learning process,” he said.

Also present at the event were Chairman of the Board of KO-UMS, Hj Rizal Othman, Board members of KO-UMS, Cooperative Managers and UMS officials. – (fl)

Source: Norhana Nordin
Photo: KO-UMS

WEDNESDAY, 2 MARCH – Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and Kinki Universiti, Japan signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for the establishment of a UMS-Kinki Aquaculture Development Centre located at the Borneo Marine Research Institute (IPMB), UMS.

The MoA was signed at the IPMB Hatchery, UMS witnessed by the Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Higher Education, Datuk Nik Ali Mat Yunus.

According to Datuk Nik Ali, the establishment of this centre will strengthen the research and development (R&D) between the two universities that had a longstanding relationship in the field of aquaculture and very important towards the improvement of domestic economic activity at regional and international level as it was related to food sources and high quality protein.

“To ensure the sustainability of industrial development, aquaculture scientists and industry players should work together to produce strategic direction not only in R&D but also every the field of marketing and supply chain management,” he said.

He added that the strategic collaboration in R&D between UMS and Kinki in aquaculture and its related industry would provide a strong foundation for the development of the aquaculture industry in the future.

The importance of the aquaculture industry is related to the retention of food sources as reported in the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO UN), which recorded a total of 183 million tonnes produced in 2015 compared to 133 million tonnes in 2000.

World Bank also reported that come 2030, 62% of seafood or fish eaten would be met through farming to meet with the demands.

After the MoA was signed, the centre would conduct research to produce fish seedlings, improve the quality of Napoleon Wrasse fish, grouper, catfish and eel farming.

Datuk Nik Ali also visited the hatchery that stocks fish as brood stock for fish seeds production.

He also witnessed UMS researchers in demonstrating the process of inducing and fish seedling.

Also present at the ceremony were Vice-Chancellor, Professor Datuk Dr. Mohd. Harun Abdullah; President of Kinki University, Professor Dr. Hitoshi Shiozaki; Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research and Innovation UMS, Professor Dr. Shahril Yusof; UMS Registrar, No’man Datuk Hj Ahmad; Kinki University Registrar, Hiroyasu Tsuji and IPMB Director, Professor Dr. Rossita Shapawi. - (fl)

WEDNESDAY, 2 MARCH – The Art and Culture Division of Student Affairs Department, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) held a Dance Workshop at SK Pekan, Tambunan, recently.

A total of 47 students from six primary and secondary schools participated in the workshop.

They were SK Geras, SK Pekan Tambunan, SK Kumawanan, SK Patau, SMK Tambunan and SMK St. Martin.

The Dance Workshop was intended to help school around this area in scouting for young talents, and assist teachers with the dance routine and teaching them the basics of dances, be it Malay dance or Sabah traditional dances.

Eight coaches were involved; four Cultural Officers from the Art and Culture Division namely Alan James, Norain Abd Razak, Resty Cindy Ony and Suhairin Abd Kadir were on hand to impart their skills and knowledge to the young talents assisted by four UMS students as facilitators of the workshop namely, Ahmady Rady, Mohd Adib Aiman, Diana and Chelsea.

The closing ceremony of the Dance Workshop was held at the SK Pekan Tambunan hall officiated by Azmi Jumat, Head of Student Affairs Department representing the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Student Affairs and Alumni, Associate Professor Dr. Ismail Ali.

Azmi said such programme was an effort to help the schools in instilling interest in dancing among the young talents.

“This is the result of the three day two night camp that showed a good and satisfying result.

“UMS is always on hand to assist either in academic or non-academic matters.  We hope that this will be a long-lasting activity,” he said.

Also present at the ceremony were the Principal of SK Pekan Tambunan, Nordin Lawanding, senior assistants and teachers of the school. (fl)

Source: Norhana Nordin, HEPA

Photographer: Jalani Moksin

TUESDAY, 1 MARCH – Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) through its students from Tun Mustapha Residential College recently conducted a Leadership Camp with the students of SMK Ranau.

The three-day two nights leadership camp was participated by 116 students of SMK Ranau, comprising of class monitors, librarians, student peer group (PRS) and school prefects included 14 undergrads from the Tun Mustapha Residential College.

Among the contents of the programme featured were Group Exercise (LDK) that provided an exposure to students on the aspects of leadership and cooperation within a group.  Additionally, it also emphasised on the aspect of time management to train course participants in managing their daily activities as a students thus disciplining them in various aspects and situations.

Principal of SMK Ranau, Barizah Kahar in her speech at the closing ceremony said, she was grateful  and thanked UMS undergrads who cooperated with the school in making the leadership camp a reality for the school.

“The presence of UMS undergrads helped our students in understanding ways to become a good leader thus shaping their positive character.

“I hope this programme would be a starting point to various other collaborations with UMS in the future,” she said. – (fl)