By Salbinous Saribun

He said, more than 50% of the prison inmates were made up of those who committed crimes related to drugs.

“Parents would have been disappointed if their children fell into drugs, the same for those children who suffer because of the lack of love when their parents are in jail because of drugs and crime,” he said when launching the Message from Prisons Programme and Drug Abuse Counselling Seminar National Level held at the Dewan Resital (Recital Hall) Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS).

Suria said, he was sad to see the innocent little children who came to visit their parents who were serving sentence.

“My message to the public and students, appreciate the meaning of life and the sense of freedom.  Once we fell into crime and drug addiction, death is certain.  Life in prison is not a priviledged one,” he added.

The programme organised by the State Prisons Department and UMS ends tomorrow with various activities including paper presentations and forum.

Present at the opening ceremony was the Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Psychology and Education UMS, Associate Professor Dr. Christina Peter Ligadu. – (fl)

Held at the ODEC Beach, the programme was participated by 151 students from four new programmes offered at the Forestry Complex, FSSA.

The programme was aimed at strengthening ties between lecturers and students as well as fostering a ‘forestry spirit’ in themselves.

Advisor of the programme, Dr. Maria L.T. Lardizabal who represented the Dean of FSSA, Professor Dr. Baba Musta in her opening speech of the Forestry Complex Family Camp 2015 said the three-day camp was organised to provide ideas and exposure to the students about the programmes offered at the Forestry Complex, FSSA.

”This will open the minds of students on the importance of the forestry sector today and in future.

“Development will continue to grow, thus the role of researchers and experts should indeed be parallel and complementary,” she said.

Meanwhile, the programme director, Lee Yew Leung praised the university’s administration particularly the Student Affairs Department that authorised the organisation of this camp, adding that this programme was important as a start for new students who will study for four years at FSSA.

“For 3 days we gathered at this camp, group activities and discussions were carried out with the lecturers and students.  This gives more variety of ideas and perceptions in the field of sustainable forestry.

“Skill slots were also applied to let the students experience the real world as a forester,” she said.

The highlight of the programme, Campfire Night witnessed the success of the students’ group presentation followed by a competition for Best Group and Best Student of the programme. - (fl)
Source: Kenny Uwai, FSSA

The briefing was held at the Main Meeting Room, FSSA also received support from the Registrar Department and Etiqa Takaful Berhad.

Representatives from Etiqa Takaful, Abdul Halim Lamsarang presented the talk and explained that this talk was in line with the efforts to spread the takaful practices among the staff in attendance.

“Through the introduction of the new Mutiara Plus Family Takaful Plan, this would help staff to get affordable insurance plan that covers the whole family.

“The combined efforts of the Congress of Unions of Employees in Public Services (CUEPACS) and the Takaful Berhad is a positive move so that members would not leave their families in misery,” he explained.

 According to him, plans are open to civil servants in the Ministries, Departments, Agencies or Local Authorities would include protection for their spouses and children.

Meanwhile, Dean of FSSA, Professor Dr. Baba Musta said the talk, which was attended by non-academic staff was expected to create awareness on the need and importance of insurance plans to employees of the faculty as a medium of security in the future.

Hasmi Hashim, who agreed with the Deputy Registrar of FSSA believed the talk was appropriate in raising public awareness on the concept of takaful insurance because it covers protection, health, investment, education and savings. – (fl) 
Source: Kenny Uwai, FSSA

By: Che Hasruddin Che Hasan

Photo: Ramdan Saleh Nain

TUESDAY, 22 SEPTEMBER – In realising the importance of Science and Mathematics today, the Faculty of Psychology and Education (FPP), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) for the first time organised the 1^st Borneo International Conference on Science and Mathematics Education (BICSME) 2015 at FPP building, recently.

At the conference, academics, researchers and educators from around the country met to discuss, deliberate and examine important issues in the field of science and mathematics resulting from researchers that have been done before.

Datuk Hajah Jainab Datuk Seri Panglima Hj Ahmad Ayid said, through empirical studies shaped by scientific explanations will assist in a clearer understanding that comes with more innovative and creative solutions to improve on the challenges faced.

“Through this conference, I hope it can provide an insight into how the education system works to improve the science and maths curriculum standards including student achievement in the context of Southeast Asia, especially in Malaysia”.

“The organisation is also expected to provide more opportunities for teachers of science and maths in the state to share ideas and to constantly update the development of science and mathematics education,” she said when opening the BICSME 2015 at the Grand Ballroom, 1 Borneo, Kota Kinabalu last night.

Datuk Jainab added, these scientific meetings could examine, deliberate and discuss on current issues relating to curriculum, pedagogy, assessment and ICT technologies in science and maths.

The three-day conference started on 21^st to 23^rd September 2015 also saw the participation of academics from five countries namely, Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Denmark and Singapore.

A total of 184 participants and 3 keynote speakers were involved in the conference. - (fl)