The competition jointly organised by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and National Press Club Malaysia, in cooperation with the Malaysian Red Crescent saw the article of International Relations programme third year student being the best among all participants.

Her writings emphasised on the conflict situations in Sudan and how humanitarian aid to the people of Sudan was blocked by the government, had enabled her to take home the prize money of RM1,500 and an electronic gadget.

The prizes were presented by Head of ICRC Sabah, Dominique Earnshaw at an awards presentation ceremony held at the Gallery, UMS this morning.

UMS also won other prizes in the competition; third prize went to Mohd Ariff Mohd Noor, including two finalists namely Audrey Michelle Peter and Zaenushan Adrizan bin Zubir.

The competition themed “Respecting Life and Human Dignity” among others aimed to encourage young people to understand and discuss matters relating to international law, action and principles in humanitarian issues.

Also present at the ceremony was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Academic and International, Prof. Dr. D Kamarudin D Mudin. – MA (fl)

By Salbinous Saribun

FRIDAY, 15 JANUARY – The National Muslim Youth Association (PEMBINA) of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) provides free food for UMS students at UMS Mosque.

PEMBINA UMS Chairman, Muhammad Izzat Naif Mad Isa said, the contribution was to help the needy.

“Students at this university comes from various background and some are short of money especially at the end of the semester.  Thus, PEMBINA UMS come forward to help them through this programme,” he said when met by university media.

He said that the effort had started since October last year, at several locations within the university.

“We have been distributing free food at the residential colleges but this time we chose the mosque as the centre for food distribution.

“On behalf of PEMBINA UMS, we would like to express our utmost gratitude to those who donated fund and sponsorship for the success of this effort,” he said, describing their initiative as in line with the effort of the university’s management in ensuring the welfare of students. – (fl)

By Faezah Mohamad Dun
Photo:  Musaab Umair

THURSDAY, 14 JANUARY – The Universiti Malaysia Sabah – National Welfare Foundation Haemodialysis Centre, located at Plaza Kingfisher, Kota Kinabalu is expected to be operational in February.

This was confirmed by the Vice-Chancellor of UMS, Professor Datuk Dr. Mohd Harun Abdullah at the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the National Welfare Foundation (YKN) at the Chancellory Building here, today.

According to Datuk Harun, a total of 10 haemodialysis machines have been donated by YKN to provide welfare assistance to patients in need of treatment.

“I hope that this noble efforts between UMS and YKN provide an invaluable contribution to the local community and could be further enhanced in the future,” he said.

This haemodialysis centre was initiated through a brief discussion between UMS and YKN last year. - (fl)

THURSDAY, 14 JANUARY – Ten students from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) completed the UMS-UUM Mobility Programme yesterday.

The students comprised of five students from UUM stayed at UMS Campus for one semester, whilst five students from the Faculty of Psychology and Education UMS were at UUM Campus, Kedah since last September.

The students were feted at a ceremony held at the Seminar Room of the Faculty of Psychology and Education, which was also attended by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Associate Professor Dr. Ismail Ali.

In his speech, Dr. Ismail praised the efforts and cooperation of the two universities to ensure that both parties benefited through this mobility programme.

He further said, the programme would not only strengthen the academic field of both universities, but also provide opportunity to the participants to acquire knowledge that was not based purely on academic.

“Those students who were involved indirectly became an ambassador of the university, allowing them to promote the uniqueness of the university and its culture throughout the programme.

“As such, this programme should be continued in future  thus supporting the intention of the Ministry of Higher Education to produce holistic graduates as emphasised in the 10^th Shift of the Malaysia Education Development Plan (Higher Education),” he added. – (fl)