During the opening ceremony, Head of Student Affairs Department, Azmi Jumat said, leadership values instilled in students while at the university would be beneficial to them upon graduation.

“The experience in doing activities and organising large-scale programmes will add to their experience and train them in the aspect of service-based learning, which responds to the demands of the education system in the 21^st century,” he said.

Earlier, Head of Residential College E, Ahmad Norazhar Mohd Yatim said, the cooperation extended by the leaders of the college deserved compliments.

“Without their dedicated help, Residential College E would not be recognised as an ‘excellent’ college like what it is today.  Every one is like a precious gem, their assistance were indeed useful and ideas expressed would be able to further improve the leadership at the college,” he added.

A total of 30 students from the Student Welfare Committee (JAKMAS), Heads of Blocks Council (MKKB), Heads of Clubs Council (MKKK) and College Hopeful Leaders also attended the ceremony. – (fl)

Source: JAKMAS Residential College E

WEDNESDAY, 04 November – Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) through its Master in Management Programme, Faculty of Psychology and Education (FPP) once again organised a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Series II Programme, recently.

Programme supervisor, Dr. Siew Nyet Moi @ Sopiah Abdullah said, the event was held at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Abdul Rahim II, conducted by 27 postgraduate students of the faculty and assisted by five undergraduate students majoring in Science (Mathematics/Physics).

“The contents focuses more on the promotion of critical thinking and problem solving in addition to generating creativity and innovation, and sharing of communication and cooperation techniques through group activities,” she informed media.

She said, it was also an effort to provide opportunities for rural students to strengthen their understanding on STEM which is Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, thus building their confidence in choosing these particular field as their career in future.

“The participants of the programme showed a high level of team spirit and exchange of ideas to produce the best design in all the activities conducted, among them were water tank, paper toilet and boat-building challenge.

“As a token of appreciation for their efforts and participation, prizes were also arranged for the winner and runner-ups whilst consolation prizes were given to groups who have participated besides the main prize as the overall prize,” added Dr. Siew.

The programme involved 35 Form 4 Pure Science students and was also attended by the Principal of SMK Abdul Rahim II, Annie Sawali. – SS (fl)

Source: Faculty of Psychology and Education

By Feria Lee

Photo: Johaidi Ismail

Focusing on the interior schools in Sabah, BPK collaborated with the Centre for Postgraduate Studies (PASCA) of UMS, Preparatory Centre for Science and Technology (PPST) and UMS Centre for External Education (PLUMS).

Despite the haze causing some schools in Semporna and Tawau to close, the education road tour started at SMK Bugaya, Semporna before continuing to SMK Tawau the next day.

The first leg of the tour ended in SMK Elopura, Sandakan.

The second leg of the education road tour continues this week until end of the month.

One of the objectives of this education road tour is to identify potential students under the Below 40% household income (B40) hard-core poor with the minimum eligibility to further their education at university level,  under the university’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative. 

With a total of 10 faculties, UMS offers 64 degree programmes for Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia (STPM), Matriculation and Diploma holders and a preparatory centre for Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) holders focussing on science and technology subjects.

The talk held for the first time started off with an introduction by the Director of the Office for International Affairs (PHEA), Molly Donna Awang Sham.

The programme continued with a lecture by Tun Zaki who commented on the academic achievements of the students.

He announced that three international students would receive awards for academic excellence at the forthcoming convocation ceremony this November.

One of them is a student from South Korea who will receive the award after achieving a total of 3.97 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA).

Two other students would received the Dean’s Award.

Meanwhile, Tun Zaki also talked on other issues related to language problems, social and student activities.

He also urged UMS to help students strengthen their grasp in the English language by creating programmes such as public speaking, introduce more group activities and Homestay Programme.

He made a suggestion to the international students that they need to learn and ultimately master the Malay language.

Also present were Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International), Professor Dr. D Kamarudin D Mudin; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni), Associate Professor Dr. Ismail Ali; Dean of the Centre for Postgraduate Studies, Professor Datin Dr. Marian Abdul Latip; Dean for the Promotion of Knowledge and Language, Professor Dr. Vincent Pang; UMS Investment representative, Ramlan Awang Ali and Academic Services Division representative, Gahzali Nurilah.

For the record, students who attended the programme were from the People’s Republic of China, Brunei, Indonesia, Maldives, Fiji, Timor Leste, Tanzania, Oman, Zanzibar, Iraq, Vietnam and Cambodia.  – SS (fl)

Source: Mohd Khairuddin Ahmad, PHEA