WEDNESDAY, 6 JANUARY – A total of 6 members of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Postgraduate Student Association (PSA) and two postgraduate students including two escorts visited the Sri Harapan Home for the Elderly in Sandakan, recently.

The Love for the Elderly Programme was organised to train participants on communication skills, to empathise, be compassionate and concern for the elderly.

According to the director of the programme, Laisreyn Laisok, the programme hoped to attract more postgraduate students to participate in community activities in future besides attracting the surrounding public to reach out to those who needed care and support.

The programme organised by PSA in collaboration with UMS Centre for Postgraduate Studies (PPPS) among others acted as a platform for students to provide emotional and psychological assistance to the residents through activities that were enriching.

During the programme, UMS also held birthday celebration, get-together session and distribution of donations to all 45 residents of the home. – (fl)

Source: Norcikeyonn Samuni (PSA)

By Salbinous Saribun

TUESDAY, 05 JANUARY – Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Marine Aquarium and Museum recorded 39,029 visitors in 2015.

According to the museum curator, Flora Anne Asalin, the number reflected an increase of 4,625 visitors compared to 34,404 visitors last year.

“Of the number, 33,171 were Malaysians, 5,232 international visitors and the rest were official guests of the university, people with disabilities (OKU) and UMS staff and students itself,” she said when contacted by UMS media.

She added, the increase in visitors showed that UMS Marine Aquarium and Museum continued to be the choice tourism destination when visiting Kota Kinabalu.

“The museum also generated income of RM177,772.49 compared to RM149,416.00 the previous year through collection of entrance fees charged to every visitor,” she added.

The museum operated by the Borneo Marine Research Institute (IPMB) is open to the public every day except Sundays and Public Holidays, from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm. – (fl)

TUESDAY, 05 JANUARY – Efforts to expose Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) student leaders to foreign culture should be intensified to instil creative as well as critical thinking and with foresight thus responding the call to internationalise university students.

Recognising this, UMS recently sent 18 Student Representatives Council (MPP) of the 2014/2015 Academic Session to Beijing, China for a High Performance Leadership Tour.

The group leader, Mohd. Al-Farid Abraham said, the tour was also a platform for sharing of knowledge between Malaysia and China covering many areas and aspects of student leadership.

“We were also exposed to the academic system and patterns of student leadership in Beijing besides learning the Eco-Tourism system in that country that could be applied by UMS to streamline the EcoCampus concept,” he said.

Al-Farid, who was also the MPP President for the 2014/2015 Session also accorded his gratitude to UMS and described the visit as very timely and beneficial.

The seven-day tour included a visit to Beihang University and Beijing University of Language and Culture, China. – SS (fl)

Source: Masnahneh Masdin, HEP

WEDNESDAY, 23 DECEMBER – Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) participation in the Malaysian Universities Cultural Council Theatre Festival (MAKUM) brought home three awards this year.

The six-day festival finally picked UMS student, Shahril Latief as the winner for the Best Promising Actor through ‘Dewan Persidangan’.

UMS also received the Special Jury Award and Best Costume Award through its S.T.A.G.E Production.

Commenting on the participation in the festival, UMS Theatre Lecturer, Sharifuddin Zainal said, through the theatrical titles contested, it had indirectly provided some input to the audience especially university students who were the pioneers of the development of theatre arts in the universities in particular.

“Through these titles, it also acts as a branch of criticism and audience mind shift towards positivity,” he said.

The overall champion at the festival was Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), runner-up was Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) whilst University Malaya (UM) was third.

Besides UMS, UPM, USM and UM, Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) and Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) also entered the Finals. - (fl)

Source: Norhana Nordin, HEPA
Photo: FKSW