The water supply to Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) is now stable and able to meet the needs of the 20,000 staff and students at the campus, says Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Kasim Mansor.

He said the state Water Department (JANS) had been able to supply the five million litres per day (MLD) required for campus residents based on the daily readings by the university's Development and Maintenance Department.

"The water supply from the department since January this year showed a stable and consistent increase averaging 5MLD that is sufficient for the campus," he said in a statement, adding that the water supply issue had been resolved.

The water shortage at UMS had been going on for several years.

As part efforts to reduce the water shortage at the campus, a tube well project was funded by the Higher Education Department and the Prime Minister's Office.

Prof Kasim said the project was completed and working properly.

"The tube well will be an alternative source if there is a disruption in water supply by JANS," he said, thanking the federal and state governments for their help

Kg. Malubang in Pitas is set to host an exciting new initiative in community-based tourism and marine conservation.

This is after a group of student and academician from the Faculty of Business, Economics, and Accountancy (FBEA), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), together with Sabah Parks (TTS) successfully organized The Community-Based Tourism Program with the communities of Kg. Malubang, Pitas recently.

According to FBEA Senior Lecturer, Dr. Mohamad Isa Abd Jalil, the project aims to empower the communities of Kg. Malubang and Kampung Berungus, which are located within the yellow zone of Tun Mustapha Marine Park, also known as the Community Use Zone (CUZ).

“These villages were chosen as pilot projects due to their strategic location within the designated zone, providing a significant opportunity to develop sustainable tourism and marine conservation strategies.

“The primary goal is to create a model that can be replicated in other marine protected areas,” he said in a statement in conjunction with the programme.

He added that, the involvement of FBEA is crucial to the success of this program.

“With the expertise in rural tourism, FBEA contributes the necessary knowledge and experience to strengthen the local economy.

“This collaboration not only enhances the relationship between the university and the community but also highlights the important role of educational institutions in community development,” he said.

He also noted that the program is designed to achieve several key objectives, among other is to leverage FBEA’s expertise to enhance the rural economy, as well as to encourage and empower the community's ability to engage in tourism activities.

“This programme also aims to raise awareness about the importance of environmental conservation, particularly among the younger generation, and aspires to establish ongoing partnerships with stakeholders in tourism development within protected areas.

“This project is expected to promote responsible and sustainable tourism while empowering the local community to become leaders in conservation efforts and sustainable economic development.

“It demonstrates the commitment of UMS, particularly the FBEA to assisting marginalized communities through capacity-building programs,” he said.

He also hoped that the programme could serve as a model for similar projects in Tun Mustapha Marine Park and other marine protected areas, thus further strengthening conservation efforts and the development of coastal rural communities.

The four-day programmes involve active participation from the local community, including youths, women, and primary school students.

Seminar on Commercialisation of University Research Results: Postgraduate Role held at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Islamic Centre recently was able to create a platform where researchers and entrepreneurs get to share ideas and experiences as well as room for collaboration for mutual benefit.

The seminar organised along with Faculty of Business, Economics and Accountancy (FBEA), and Innovation and Commercialisation Management Centre (PPIP) not only involves discussion forum, but also opens opportunities to many creators which has successfully commercialised their product to showcase the results of their innovation to the participants.

 
According to statement from FBEA, other reasons the program was held is to foster a culture of innovation and commercialisation among postgraduate students.

“This seminar also aims to push collaboration and exchanging knowledge by creating a platform for researchers and entrepreneurs to share ideas and experiences, other than the chance to expand the work network by developing a stronger relationship between university and industry.

“Introducing new inventions to a wider audience is one of the main focuses of this seminar, including new innovation produced by students and university researchers.

 
“This effort also pushes innovation and business development by encouraging students to explore commercialisation opportunity and business development,” according to the statement.

Other focus of the seminar was also to increase awareness upon commercialisation issues.

“By providing information and guidance on challenges and opportunities in commercialisation of research results, the seminar hopes to give benefits to university in fostering a culture of innovation and commercialisation among postgraduate students.

“The seminar expected to be an effective platform in pushing more cooperation between university and industry, as well as empowering postgraduate students to keep on inventing and innovate,” statement from FPEP UMS.

In conjunction with the seminar, among those present was Director of PPIP, Prof. Dr. Jidon @ Adrian Janaun; Chief Executive Officer Eternity Mode Sdn. Bhd, Gesiri Gambung; and representative from Sabah Creative Economy & Innovation Centre (SCENIC), Ulianti Sarjuni.

Faculty of Business, Economics, and Accountancy (FBEA), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) stay committed in assisting the advancement and competitiveness of entrepreneur through research along with innovation related with local business.

Through a final presentation program by students from the course “Integrated Marketing Communication,” students were involved in presenting their results along with the involvement of business entrepreneurs based on Sabah’s local products.

By bringing the theme, “The 2^nd Product Development and Promotional Campaign Competition for BG31903 Integrated Marketing Communication Pitching to Judges”, the final presentation program that was held at FPEP consists of 93 Year-Two students, which then formed 13 groups to present their results.

According to Senior Lecturer FPEP, Dr Siti Nor Bayaah Ahmad who is in charge of the course, other aims of the programme is to attract students from marketing program to create as well as produce new and innovative packaging ideas.

“This programme also generates effective digital communication to assist local entrepreneur in expanding their products at local and national level.

“Other than that, this effort also opens up opportunities to Year-Two students of Marketing Program involved to use their knowledge and skills that they have learned to create ideas that are unique and creative, aligned with the aim of marketing program which is producing knowledgeable, high-quality, and competitive graduate.

“In addition, this is one of the focuses in realising the founding aspirations of UMS as a place to gain knowledge to help local communities in improving socioeconomics dan fostering entrepreneurship values among UMS students,” she said.

Siti Nor Bayaah also informed, this idea presenting programme involves seven lecturers from diverse FPEP program along with four local entrepreneur which acts as competition judge.

“The four entrepreneurs were Juddy Lasisu, owner of Aurora Mutiara Enterprise which creates product from dried fruits and plants; Rosalia Anthony, founder of Ohakakita Food Sdn Bhd, a product related to condiments, “sambal tausi” dan “sambal tuhau”

“Vellarry Maydelina Yong, owner of  Oupus Organis which produce cream products based on bambangan fruit; and Sainah Asoh, owner of Tumuna Enterprise which just got into yam powder product, yam slices and Pensiangan coffee.

“Students involved has researched, applied and suggesting new packaging also launched digital marketing through Tik Tok application as to promoting the products of these businesswomen,” she said.

She also expresses appreciation towards the local businesswomen on their gift donation to the winners of every category that was presented by every student group.

“Involvement by local entrepreneur has given opportunities to students to interact with them by ideas presentation and promoting their work to industry just like what is happening outside of university.

“This allows them to gain valuable experiences which are applying the idea of creative product packaging and real scenario of promoting and not depends on theoretical only,” she said.

She also hopes that the effort can be continued in the future with more involvement from micro entrepreneurs, small and average together with university students in creating creative output for their organisation.


Among those who were present, Deputy Dean of Student Affairs FPEP, Dr. Noor Fzlinda Fabeil; Marketing Program Leader, Dr Brahim Chekima; and Senior Lecturer FPEP, Charlie Albert Lausin who is also conducting the Integrated Marketing Communication course.