THURSDAY, 25 FEBRUARY – The Student Police Volunteer Corps Team (SUKSIS) Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) recently held a charity and policing activities with the community of Kampung Kuala, Papar.

The programme held for three-day involved 120 trainees from the Suksis Corps Series 1/2013 and Series 1/2014 including 7 Suksis Corps trainers.

The programme aimed to expose to the community on the contributions that could be offered by students of UMS to the local community, besides applying the soft skills learned to establish cooperation among participants.

The programme saw trainees involved in a gotong royong with the community, games and sports, motivation programme with students sitting  for UPSR, PT3, SPM, STPM, crime prevention exhibition, free health screening from the Papar Health Unit, and basic training on Taekwondo conducted by the Papar District Police Headquarters.

Suksis Volunteer Corps also received support from other organisation such as the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) Kampung Kuala, Papar; Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department (JPJKK); Papar District Office; as well as village communities who were involved throughout the programme.

Such programme is expected to continue and extended to other rural areas in support of efforts to create a sustainable national unity amongst undergrads through the collaborative efforts of trainees and the community. – (fl)

Source: Corps Suksis UMS

Labuan Member of Parliament (MP), Datuk Rozman Isli said, this was to ensure that students could continue their studies to a higher level, thereby obtaining employment and income, according to their qualification.

He said, at this current economic status and the decline in oil and gas industry, he was confident that Labuan could change direction in making the Federal Territory of Labuan as a premier education hub in the region.

“We are trying to make the Federal Territory of Labuan as a premier education hub in the region.  The existence of public and private higher learning institutions would make this government intention a reality,” he said.

He said this when officiating the 2016 School Leavers Carnival, Federal Territory of Labuan level held at the Main Lecture Hall, Universiti Malaysia Sabah Labuan International Campus (UMSKAL), recently.

The one-day carnival organised by UMSKAL was in collaboration with the office of Labuan MP and Labuan Development Foundation.

Also taking part in the carnival were City College of Business Management, UiTM Sabah branch, Industrial Training Institute (ILP), Labuan Matriculation College (KML), Faculty of International Finance Labuan (FKAL) and the Faculty of Computing and Informatics (FKI).

The carnival, held for the first time was attended by about 200 participants comprising students who would be sitting for the SPM and STPM this year as well as school leavers and students from the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP).

Also present were UMSKAL Director, Associate Professor Dr. Murnizam Hj Halik; Deputy Director of UMSKAL cum Organising Chairman, Associate Professor Dr. Geoffrey Harvey Tanakinjal and Dean of the Faculty of International Finance Labuan, Associate Professor Dr. Syed Nasirin Syed Zainol Abidin.

Also present were the Principal of City College, Hasliza Jusoh; Assistant Registrar of UiTM Sabah, Aminah Aman; Counselor of KML, Sadiah Jakob and the Head of E-Commerce programme FKI, Soffri Yussof.

Rozman, who is also the Chairman of Labuan Corporation said, through the carnival, participants especially Form 5 students could streamline the courses available, after leaving school.

He also reminded students not to be choosy in any field, but should always grab the opportunity that could help generate income and economy in the future.

He also thanked the Director and Deputy Director of UMSKAL for hosting the event that benefit the participants to obtain information that would help them after their exams.

He said, the facilities at UMSKAL was an attraction for students to continue their studies at UMSKAL.

“I am confident that through this carnival, participants will get various information including and the right channel to register into public and private higher learning institutions available locally and abroad,” he said.

Students also obtained information and tips on getting scholarship and how to face an interview, at the carnival.

More importantly, participants could experience campus life through the forums/dialogues held.

Besides Rozman, Dr. Murnizam and Dr. Geoffrey, the panelists for the 'Survival Campus' comprised of Dr. Anand Rau Krishnan, Mary Monica Jionny and Nona Masnie Mohd Nistah who shared the experiences as a student whilst studying in higher learning institutions, locally or abroad. – (fl)

Source: Azri Onn Othman, UMSKAL

Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Professor Datuk Dr. Mohd Harun Abdullah said, the success of the Prophet in uniting the people in Madinah should be seen in a wider context.

“When viewed against the background of the people in our country that is made up of different races and religions, unity is very important amongst the people of Malaysia, especially in facing the challenges from external elements who try to poison the minds of people, dividing Malaysians.

“Hence, let us together practice tolerance and be forgiving, insya-Allah all planned development of the country would be achieved if everyone is united,” he said in his speech in conjunction with the Maulidur Rasul UMS level celebration held at Dewan Resital, UMS.

His text was read by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni) UMS, Associate Professor Dr. Ismail Ali.

According to him, in the context of UMS, all employees must be united in working together to provide the best service to students and contributing to the surrounding community.

“Without unity and understanding, it is hard for UMS to achieve its Key Performance Indicators (KPI) that have been set,” he said.

The charity project by Al-Jawwad group was chosen to be the best, winning them the prize money of RM2,000 contributed by the Sabah Zakat Centre, presented by Dr. Ismail.

The group comprised the Faculty of Science and Natural Resources, Centre for the Preparatory of Science and Technology, Borneo Marine Research Institute, Biotechnology Research Institute and the Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, which repaired the surau at Kampung Lentuong, Karambunai, building a mini dam for the surau, and the distribution of Al-Quran and basic needs for the surau.

More than 500 UMS staff attended the event  where a talk was also presented by Pencetus Ummah (PU) Azihal Bangsawan. – MA (fl)

Photo: Musaab Umair

WEDNESDAY, 24 FEBRUARY – About 800 secondary school students in the Federal Territory of Labuan joined the Love Malaysia Campaign held at the Main Lecture Hall, Universiti Malaysia Sabah Labuan International Campus (UMSKAL), this morning.

Besides secondary school students, the programme that started at 11 am was also attended by Labuan Matriculation College students, staff, lecturer, staff and students of UMSKAL.

The programme organised by the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) in collaboration with UMSKAL also featured the nation’s number one master of ceremony, Datuk Aznil Haji Nawawi, who is also the icon of Love Malaysia Campaign.

Also present were UMSKAL Director, Associate Professor Dr. Murnizam Haji Halik; Director of Coordination Division, Office of the Director of Sabah, Dayang Halimah Awang Ahmad; Director of the Inland Revenue Board Labuan branch, Zabidi Abdul Rashid; Deputy Director of UMS Labuan International Campus, Associate Professor Dr. Geoffrey Harvey Tanakinjal; Deputy Senior Registrar, UMSKAL, Zamri Haji Mohammad Tuan and Programme Coordinator, Nur Iman Reedzal.

Aznil said the Love Malaysia Campaign programme that came to a close at UMSKAL after it began a year ago touring the country.

He said the nationwide campaign and meeting society from all walks of life especially secondary school students and undergrads from Higher Learning Institutions (IPTA) was successful in achieving its objectives to ensure Malaysians exercise their duties to pay taxes.

“The response at each location was incredible and beyond my expectation, including the last location here at UMSKAL.  I hope that through this campaign, more Malaysians will pay taxes as a responsibility towards the country,” he said, receiving thunderous applause from the floor that filled the Main Lecture Hall of UMSKAL.

Aznil hoped that working Malaysians would allocate certain amount of money from their salary to pay taxes, that would be added to the country’s budget.

Touching on the target on secondary schools and universities in the campaign, Aznil said IRB wished to instill awareness to the younger generation while still in their school days before they step into the working world.

He also hoped that Malaysians would continue to inculcate their patriotism to the country especially when they are abroad.

“We have to instill a love for the country since young and not merely through speeches and slogans alone,” he added.

‘Pak Nil’, as he is fondly known, also encouraged students to always utter the word thank you to their parents who had sacrificed so much since their childhood until they become successful, the same should also be said to their teachers who had taught them and ensure their success.

“Do not forget to thank your parents, teachers and the government for helping us throughout the time,” he said.

UMSKAL was the 24^th location for their Love Malaysia Campaign organised by IRB, and the last for this season.

Meanwhile, Dr. Murnizam thanked IRB for choosing UMSKAL as their location for this campaign, and as an expression of love towards our country.

He also welcomed collaboration with government agencies, private and non-governmental organisations (NGO) in organising a variety of programmes that benefits the campus community.

“Together with the campus community, I am proud and lucky to have experienced and gained knowledge through Datuk Aznil who is also the icon of the Love Malaysia Campaign.

“I am confident that the success of this collaboration with IRB in organising such programme had benefitted the community in Labuan, in particular secondary school students and undergrads of UMSKAL,” he said.

Source: Azri Onn Othman, UMSKAL