Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and Neurogine Sdn Bhd have launched UMS Technology Talent Hub 2024 (UMS T2H 2024) to develop, retain and attract talent to Labuan.

This initiative seeks to identify, develop and attract talent in technology, marketing and finance within Labuan and addresses a broader social responsibility of reversing Labuan’s brain drain.

Chief executive officer Owen Chen Chee Onn said Neurogine, one of Malaysia’s leading technology companies, is committed to fostering future leaders in the intersecting fields of technology, finance and marketing.

“We are thrilled to be part of UMS T2H 2024 and our role as the main sponsor,” he said at its launch at UMS Labuan International College here on Monday.

The event is organised by UMS’ Faculty of Labuan International Finance in collaboration with the Faculty of Computing and Informatics, and Neurogine.

“It will help create employment and respond to Labuan’s talent demand for digital banking, robo-advisers, virtual asset exchanges, and Islamic financial blockchain tokens.

“Neurogine has been at the forefront of innovation, pioneering payment tokenisation and financial blockchain solutions since 2020,” he said.

Chen the event is also in sync with plans to establish a blockchain hub and transform the island into a digital financial hub and launchpad for blockchain technology, as announced by Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan last month.

“We believe there are significant opportunities to develop world-class talent here, establishing Labuan as a technology innovation hub to serve the Brunei–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA),” he said.

Chen said the tools to realise such opportunities are ready with the International Finance and Computing Informatics faculties and its 1,500 annual enrolments.

“It is ambitious but realistic to position both faculties as talent and technology innovators,” Chen said.

The initiative also enables the company to connect and recruit talent and showcases its commitment to innovate and support Malaysia’s technology talent ecosystem.

Dean of Labuan’s International Finance Associate Professor Dr Geoffrey Harvey Tanakinjal said the initiative provides a platform for students to showcase their skills.

He said teams of five will compete over six months in prototyping and pitching exercises for the three top prices of RM10,000, RM8,000 and RM5,000 in December.

Neurogine is also offering employment contracts to deserving individuals. Team registrations start on June 10, 2024, and end on Aug 10, 2024.

Seven distinguished global lectures from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) contributed to lecture series programmed organized by the College of Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) at Jose Rizal University (JRU), recently.

The event, aimed at fostering a dynamic platform for exchanging and disseminating innovative ideas on reshaping sustainability in the post-pandemic era for the Asia region, saw an enthusiastic response from the academic community.

Led by Faculty of Business, Economics and Accountancy (FBEA) UMS, Associate Professor Dr. Awangku Hassanal Pengiran Bagul, the experts delivered compelling lectures and engaged stimulating discussions, highlighting opportunities and strategies for advancing sustainability in post-endemic landscape.

Awangku Hassanal said, the diverse expertise of the professors facilitated rich, multidisciplinary perspectives and deepened understanding of sustainability challenges and solutions in the Asia region.

“The visiting professor lecture series not only enriched the academic fabric of JRU but also reinforced the university’s role as a beacon of knowledge and a catalyst for sustainable development in the region.

“The successful execution of this event sets a precedent for future collaborative efforts and underscores the importance of intercollegiate and international cooperation in addressing global challenges,” he said.

Apart from Awangku, also joining the delegations are Juliana Anak Langgat, Dr. Oscar Dousin, Dr. Mohd Aliff Abu Bakar, Dr. Chew Tze Cheng@Alesha Chew, Kamarul Mizal Marzuki and Marry Tracy Pawan.

“On the second day, a round table discussion on sustainability and best practices: a multidisciplinary approach has been held at the centennial building auditorium of JRU.

Among global experts from the JRU included are Dr. Miguel M. Carpio, Dr. Kathleen G. Apilado, Dr. Allan F. Galvez, Dr. Margie Alcaide, Dr. Jacque Holst-Diamante, Dr. Marcelo Villaluna, Ms. Evelyn O. Velasco-Dula and Ms. Irene Rossele D. Swing,” he added.

Gion K. Fabella, Vice President of José Rizal University, representing the President, remarked that the event exemplifies the spirit of academic collaboration and innovation.

“It provided a crucial forum for students, faculty, and industry leaders to engage with cutting-edge research and practical strategies essential for our region's sustainable future,” he said.

This interdisciplinary event was a collaborative effort, led by the College of Hospitality and Tourism Management (THM) with College of Business Accountancy and Administration (BAA), Electronics & Computer Engineering (ECE), Education, Arts, and Sciences (EAS), Criminal Justice Education (CJE), and Graduate School at JRU.

Such collaboration underscored the university's commitment to holistic education and integrated learning experiences.

Three Sabahan participants excel at the 4th Chinese-Bridge Chinese Show for Malaysian Primary School Students (第四届“汉语桥”世界小学生中文秀,马来西亚) after succeeding in sweeping the top three prizes in the finals event at Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur recently.

The champion goes to Janice Tsen Yu Xuan (曾愉玹), runner-up to Phoebe Chong Zhi Xuen (钟芷璇) while the second runner-up to Ammar Yusof Izwan (安玛).

The three of them who are students from SJK (C) St. James Kota Kinabalu had been provided two weeks intensive coaching with Confucius Institute (CI) Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) through teacher Jin Jinjin prior to the competition.

Another student from the same school, Geraldine Amaris Lajawai (柯乐婷) was also awarded the Best Eloquence Award.

Janice who won the champion will represent Malaysia to compete in China for the global level under the primary school student’s category.

Meanwhile, Director of CI UMS, Prof. Ts. Dr. Chong Khim Phin congratulated the outstanding performance of the students.

He said, CI UMS as a non-profitable institute will strengthen its effort to promote Chinese culture and language.

“The institute has actively promoted the Chinese Bridge competition to the local schools and provided great assistance to the participants, attracting attention from various primary and secondary schools in Sabah.

“The success of the contestants from Sabah in the competition has attributed to the outstanding performance of the students and the meticulous guidance of the teachers, demonstrating the fruitful cooperation between the CI UMS and local schools,” he said.

The competition consists of questions about Chinese language and culture, Chinese speeches, talent performances, and impromptu speeches, and was broadcasted online simultaneously to the public.

A total of 100 participants took part in the Kursus Sembelihan Halal Perdana 2024 (Halal Slaughter Course) organized by the Halal Services and Research Centre (PPPH) and the Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition (FSMP) at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS).

The course was held in collaboration with the Sabah Islamic Religious Council's (MUIS) Halal Hub and the Sabah Veterinary Services Department.

The Dean of FSMP, Prof. Madya Ts. Dr. Hasmadi Mamat, emphasized that the course aimed to provide awareness, exposure, hands-on experience, and training on halal slaughter to the participants.

“The halal slaughter course covers several important aspects to ensure that the slaughter process is carried out according to the proper techniques and procedures, safely, and in compliance with religious and legal requirements,” he said.

He also expressed gratitude that the course proceeded smoothly as planned and hoped that it would continue in the coming years, with the goal of enhancing participants' knowledge and skills in halal slaughter techniques.

The invited speakers included officers from MUIS Halal Hub and the Sabah Veterinary Services Department. Dr. Hasmadi extended his appreciation to MUIS Halal Hub, QL Agroventures Sdn. Bhd., and Desa Plus Sdn. Bhd. for sponsoring the cows and chickens used for the practical slaughter sessions.

The ceremony for presenting souvenirs and certificates of appreciation for the program was officiated by UMS Vice-Chancellor, Professor Datuk Dr. Kasim Hj. Mansor.

Also present at the event were members of the MUIS Supreme Council, Datuk Haji Mohd. Dandan @ Ame Haji Alidin; UMS Chief Librarian, Md. Sazali Md. Salleh; Senior Assistant Director of the Sabah Veterinary Services Department, Alias Ahmad, and senior UMS officials.