TUESDAY, 02 FEBRUARY – A total of 73 postgraduate students from the Faculty of Sciences and Natural Resources (FSSA) Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) recently presented their result study at the Postgraduate Students Seminar at the faculty level.

The two-day seminar held at the Science and Technology Complex and Forestry Complex involved Master’s, Master of Philosophy and PhD students who presented their case studies, Pre-Viva, Mandatory Progress Report and Current Research Report, respectively.

According to the Chairman of the Seminar, Dr. Maria Lourdes T. Lardizabal, the main purpose of this seminar was to provide an opportunity for the postgraduate students to present their progress and results of their studies.

“This seminar is also a medium to share their experience and thoughts to solve any problems well without affecting the performance of the postgraduate students at faculty level.

“The seminar is also a space for the students to exchange existing knowledge,” she said.

Meanwhile, Dean of FSSA, Prof. Dr. Baba Musta in his opening speech read by the Deputy Dean (Academic and Alumni Affairs) FSSA), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Saafie Salleh said, the seminar expected to contribute knowledge and benefits to all parties, particularly to postgraduate students in preparing them to deal with critical problems faced by the world today.

“With this seminar, FSSA can contribute to the efforts to improve the credibility and quality of the university, in addition to improvements in all aspects of the field studied,” she said. - (fl)

Source: Kenny Uwai, FSSA

MONDAY, 1 FEBRUARY – The Centre for Industry Relations (PHI) Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) is now known as Centre for Industry and Community Network (CICN) starting 19 January 2016.

The rebranded name was approved at the University’s Board of Directors 70th Meeting, held on the same day.

This was stated by the Deputy Registrar of the Administration and Governance Division, Registrar Department cum Board of Directors (LPU) Secretariat, Talib Abdullah Shani in a letter dated January 28, 2016.

All dealings with the centre should now use the new name of the centre.

For more information, contact the office of CICN at  extension 612207 or 612203. SS (fl)

FRIDAY, 29 JANUARY – The Faculty of Science and Natural Resources (FSSA) recently organised ‘A Step to the Ivory Tower Series 1"Programme in preparation for students who would be graduating from secondary school.
The programme, aimed at Form 6 students in the Science Stream of all secondary schools in Kota Kinabalu, Tuaran and Penampang involved schools such as All Saints Secondary School Kota Kinabalu, SMK Bandaraya 2, Sabah College, SMK Limbanak and SMK Tamparuli.
Deputy Dean (Academic and International) cum Advisor to the Programme, Associate Professor Dr. Abdullah Bade explained that the programme aimed at offering the chance to prospective students to learn about the programmes offered by FSSA.
“We hope that this approach would attract students to continue their studies under the programmes offered by the faculty,” he said.
Meanwhile, Academic and Curriculum teacher of SMK Tamparuli, Charmine Adriane Johny welcomed the presence of representatives of the faculty to the school and hoped that the effort would be continued in future.
“The talks given were very meaningful as it include a discussion on the importance of science subjects, the application criteria for undergraduate programmes, students activities, career prospects and the facilities offered by UMS.
“This would give a clear idea and provide guidance on study options that could be selected by the students,”  she added.
The Series 1 programme  was made possible by lecturers from the Nature Parks and Recreation Programme, Forest Plantation and Agroforestry, Wood Technology and Industry namely Associate Professor Dr. Andy Russel, Dr. Jephte Sompud, Mr. Janshah Mokhtar, Madam Maznah Mahali, Miss Fazilah Musa and Madam Roziela Hanim Alamjuri. – (fl)
Source: Kenny Uwai, FSSA

FRIDAY, 29 JANUARY – Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) became the first university in ASEAN to have organised the International Aikido Seminar, which will be presented by the Chairman of the International Aikido Federation (IAF) Tokyo, Emeritus Professor Dr. Peter Anthony Goldsbury.

The two-day seminar will provide an opportunity for the university community to better know the martial art of ‘Aikido’.

Dr. Goldsbury, who is also a lecturer at Hiroshima University, Japan also presented a public talk on the work and life of the Japanese based on his experience of 30 years living in that country.

According to him, the culture of working hard, punctual and attentive practiced by the Japanese should be practiced by other countries.

“The Japanese culture is such that all its community practice and adopt the same value.  This is a asset, and I believe this value would continue to be practiced by generations to come,” he added.

Earlier, Vice-Chancellor of UMS, Professor Datuk Dr. Mohd. Harun Abdullah applauded the establishment of UMS Aikido Training Centre led by the Head of Chancellery Department, Darwis Awang.

“I would also suggest to the management of the club (Aikido) to consider proposing the learning of Aikido as one of the extra-curricular activities of the university,” he added.

His speech was read by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Academic and International UMS, Professor Dr. D Kamarudin D Mudin.

Also present at the programme was the Vice-Consul, Consular Office of Japan in Kota Kinabalu, Kenro Takahashi; Chairman of Aikikai Malaysia Technical Board, Tuan Haji Haneef Ali including Principal and Senior Officers of UMS. – (fl)

WEDNESDAY, 27 JANUARY – Taekwondo continues to add to the medal tally for Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) through two more silver medals won on the second day of the Higher Education Institutions Sports Championship (SUKIPT) 2016.

Two medals were contributed through Poomsae Individual Men and Women, represented by Ahmady Radi and Cheang Pui Siong.

Ahmady failed in his bid to continue with his gold feat yesterday when he narrowly lost 7 points over his challenger, Yong Jin Kun from Monash University,  collecting 7.12 points.

This added to his personal medal collection to three when he won two gold in the Poomsae Men Team and Poomsae Mixed.

Cheang Pui Siong also added to her collection a third medal through winning silver today, losing narrowly to Yap Khim Wen from HELP University, at 7.08 points against Yap’s 7.22 points.

Meanwhile, Fencing collected one medal for UMS through a bronze medal through Teo Zhe Bin in the Foil (Individual) Men Category.

As of this afternoon, UMS contingent still leads the medal tally with 2 gold, 3 silver and 1 bronze. – MA (fl)