TUESDAY, 22 DECEMBER – The university’s ‘Bakti Siswa’ Programme with the local community could help shape our students to be holistic in various fields.

According to the Deputy Minister of Higher Education Malaysia, Datuk Mary Yap Kain Ching, interactive programmes between university students and the community in particular the rural community not only promoted the spirit of volunteerism amongst students, but also establish a personal development through such activity.

“This programme would help prepare students to go down to grassroots level to have a first-hand experience of the life of the local community, instilling awareness amongst students on the impact of volunteerism on community and national development.

“This is in line with the Ministry of Higher Education efforts in producing holistic graduates through assessing all elements not in the form of academic but also inculcate values such as leadership, communication and problem-solving,” he said.

She was speaking to the media after the launching of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) ‘Perdana Bakti Siswa’ Programme 2015, at Kampung Bukit Quoin, Balung Tawau, recently.

She also hoped that UMS students who participated in the programme would gain knowledge and experience related to the culture and social life of the local villagers for their future benefit.

The two-day programme was participated by 100 UMS students and staff with various activities  done among them were cleaning and painting of surau and the religious school (SAR), repair works, medical check-up and blood donation, aerobics and football match including Sepak Takraw with the community.

Also present at the event were Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Student Affairs and Alumni UMS, Associate Professor Dr. Ismai Ali; Director of UMS Alumni Centre, Mohd. Raffie Janau; UMS Sports Centre, Mohd. Asyraaf Fong and the Head of UMS Student Affairs Department, Azmi Jumat. – MA (fl)

FRIDAY, 11 DECEMBER – The UMS-KPT Taekwondo Championship Fiesta 2015, which will be held for three days kicks off today and promises to be a fierce competition among athletes who are competing.

 The tournament saw a total of 117 athletes from 12 teams made up of institutions of higher learning (IPT) and local Taekwondo Club encamped at Universiti Malaysia Sabah for the two categories, Poomsae and Kyorugi.

For the Poomsae event, the competition is opened to under 17 category, Under-14, Under-12, and IPT Open for Women and Men individual, Men and Women Team, and Mixed category.

For Kyorugi open category for IPT eight categories are introduced; fin weight, fly weight, bantam weight, feather weight, middle weight, welter weight and heavy weight.

The tournament was officiated by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Student Affairs and Alumni UMS, Associate Professor Dr. Ismail Ali representing the Vice-Chancellor of UMS at the Taekwondo Hall, this morning.

In his speech, he said the organisation of the tournament which was in cooperation with the Ministry of Higher Education was able to uncover young talents in Taekwondo.

“The Taekwondo Championship is not merely to battle and compete for the sake of winning, but what is important is the spirit of sportsmanship shown throughout the competition.

“It is hoped that athletes would be able to make this tournament as a platform to gain experience and to explore opportunities for establishing personal rapport with the athletes competing,” he said.

Also present at the opening ceremony was the Sports Secretary of IPT, Hazally Jali and the Director of Sports UMS, Mohd Asyraaf Fong. – MA (fl) 
Photo by: Suzeanywati Gasinin

FRIDAY, 11 DECEMBER – Centre for Postgraduate Studies (PPPS) recently held a Dialogue Session between its Management and students at PPPS Auditorium.

The dialogue enabled PPPS management met with lecturers and supervisors from all faculties, centres and institutes in Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) that offered courses at postgraduate level and their students.

In her opening speech, Dean of PPPS, Professor Datin Dr. Mariam Abd Latip said the main purpose of the dialogue was to disseminate the contents and enforcement of UMS Postgraduate Study Method 2015 to all lecturers, supervisors and its students.

“The dialogue session is a platform for all teachers, supervisors and postgraduate students to raise any issues, views or suggestions that could help strengthen the quality of management and supervision of postgraduate students at the university to achieve UMS’ goal in increasing the number of postgraduate students who would graduate on time (GOT),” she said.

Her speech was read by PPPS Deputy Dean (Academic and International), Associate Professor Dr. Patricia Matanjun.

She added that PPPS also hoped that this dialogue session would be used to further strengthen the existing cooperation between PPPS and faculties, centres and institutes.

At the dialogue session, a total of 82 postgraduate students attended and expressed a variety of proposals and issues relating to the education and welfare, including briefing on UMS Postgraduate Study Method 2015. – (fl)

 Source: Centre for Postgraduate Studies, UMS

The undergraduates were under the supervision of Dr. Pushpalatha M. Palaniappan, lecturer of Biology of Marine Reptiles at the Borneo Marine Research Institute (BMRI).

The programme was held at the Aquarium and Museum of Universiti Malaysia Sabah and involved a total of 20 students from Pusat Minda Lestari (PML), UMS.

According to the programme director, Noor Diani Bambang Dwi Harsono, the programme’s aim was to expose and increase awareness on sea turtles amongst students from PML.  

In addition, it also gave the opportunities to the final year students of Marine Science to build their leadership skills.

The four activities organised were introduction to types of sea turtles, how to measure sea turtle, threats towards sea turtles and how to protect sea turtles. The students were given the opportunity to interact with a live sea turtle.

“In future, we hope that such programme can be held annually with cooperation from the goverment and non-goverment agencies.  

“We also hope to involve more participation from the public,” said Noor Diani.

The curator of Marine Aquarium and Museum of UMS, Flora Anne Asalin, was also present at the event.

Source: BMRI

Photo : Cheong Chah How