A group of 13 final year Aquaculture Degree Program students from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) have embarked on a unique industrial training programme, Student Aquaculture Industry Training Oversea (SAITO) which allow them to have opportunity to industry training in Japan.

This is 21st batch of group of students dispatched by the the Faculty of Science and Natural Resources (FSSA) of UMS and Borneo Marine Research Institute (BMRI), these students are set to gain hands-on experience in aquaculture, a sector vital to Malaysia's food security and economic growth.

The director of BMRI UMS, Associate Professor Dr. Faihanna Ching Abdullah said she is eager to witness the valuable experiences that students will bring back to UMS enriching aquaculture industry.

“Began on the 11th of May until 29th of July 2024, the students placed at renowned aquaculture facilities including the Kindai University, Nagasaka Eel Farm, Olive Suissan, and Tanoura Fisheries Cooperative.

“These facilities are known for their success in aquaculture and aquaculture research institute will provide the students with valuable hands-on experience in various aquaculture methods and emerging technologies,” she said.

Additionally, Dean of Faculty of Science and Natural Resources, Prof Jualang Azlan Gansau highlighted the importance of this training initiative, affirming UMS takes great pride in offering this distinctive training program, which holds immense significance for both students and the industry.

“Through this program, the main objective is to enhance students’ practical skills and knowledge in the field of aquaculture while immersing ourselves in Japanese culture.

“Experiencing different cultures and working in diverse environments not only broadens their horizons but also helps them develop as individuals and professionals,” he said.

The leader of UMS students participating in the SAITO, Eric Choong Khai Hang, represents the whole team of members to express their gratitude for the opportunity provided by FSSA and BMRI of UMS.

“While we are feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness, we believe that our hard work as a team has prepared us well for this opportunity. We are determined to represent UMS proudly and will do our utmost to make the most of this experience.

“Also, we are excited about the opportunity to explore Japan's rich cultural heritage, traditions, and professional ethics. Moreover, we hope that our positive experience will encourage other students to pursue similar international internship opportunities,” he said.

FSSA and BMRI are delighted to offer their students the opportunity to study in Japan and gain modern knowledge and skills in this sector, which has evolved as an important contributor to food security and a provider of economic and job opportunities.

The introduction of the Diploma Lepasan Ijazah - Diploma Amalan Kehakiman dan Guaman Syarie (DIJAP) program at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) is set to help train and produce qualified professionals in syarie judicial and legal practice.

Offered by the Faculty of Syariah and Law (FSU), Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), the program will commence in October this year at the UMS campus.

UMS Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Datuk Dr. Kasim Hj. Mansor, emphasized the relevance of this initiative, stating it addresses the fardu kifayah (communal obligation) within the Muslim community.

“Producing experts skilled in this field fulfills the communal obligation of forming competent professionals in the judicial system to achieve comprehensive justice based on the principles of Islamic Shariah,” he said.

“This program also promotes a deeper understanding of syariah principles and supports societal development as agents of change rooted in faith, Shariah, and ethics,” he added during the launch event officiated by USIM Board Chairman, Tan Sri Dr. Norzrul Thani Nik Hassan Thani, at UMS.

In his speech, Tan Sri Dr. Norzrul highlighted that obtaining the DIJAP qualification is a key requirement for law and syariah graduates to practice in syarie judiciary and legal fields, including in Sabah.

“Recognizing this need, FSU USIM, in collaboration with the Faculty of Islamic Studies (FIS) at UMS, has created this opportunity for students in Sabah and Sarawak,” he said.

He noted that DIJAP is a pioneering postgraduate program in Sabah, offering in-depth studies of Islamic law, syariah court procedures, family and criminal law, civil and criminal litigation, law firm management, legal ethics, and other aspects of syarie judicial and legal systems.

“This program adds value to career prospects in syarie judiciary and Islamic legal services while providing extensive exposure to the application of Sabah's Syariah Enactments and the State Syariah Court’s practice directions,” he added.

The program is expected to enrich students’ academic credentials while equipping them with practical insights into the syarie legal system, enhancing their employability in the Islamic judiciary and legal sectors.

Also present at the launch were USIM Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dato’ Ts. Dr. Sharifudin Md. Shaarani; Sabah Chief Syarie Judge, Ahadin Arinen; Chairman of the Sabah Syarie Lawyers Association, Abdul Razak Hj. Jamil; Dean of FSU USIM, Prof. Madya Dr. Nik Salida Suhaila Nik Saleh; and Dean of FIS UMS, Prof. Dr. Hj. Dahlan Hj. Abdul Malek.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) aims for zero new local leprosy cases by 2030.

Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the cumulative leprosy cases until the 18th epidemiological week as of May 4 were at 66 nationwide, including 24 cases in Sabah.

“The targeted efforts to detect and treat leprosy cases early in the field need to be intensified as a step towards achieving the target of zero new local leprosy cases,” he said when launching the national-level World Malaria, Tuberculosis, and Leprosy Day at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS).

Dzulkefly said the ministry also provided the single-dose rifampicin as a prophylaxis to leprosy contacts and at-risk communities to prevent the spread of leprosy.
For tuberculosis, he said a total of 8,856 cases were recorded during the same period, including 1,944 cases in Sabah.

Dzulkefly said the disease can be cured by adhering to the prescribed treatment schedule with daily intake of anti-tuberculosis drugs for at least six months.

“Misunderstandings about tuberculosis, such as it being caused by ‘santau’ (black magic), need to be corrected,” he said, adding that untreated tuberculosis can lead to death.

During the same period, he said a total of 120 cases of human malaria infection and 683 cases of zoonotic malaria infection were recorded nationwide, with five cases of human malaria infection and 404 cases of zoonotic infection in Sabah.

A team of researchers from the Institute of Tropical Biology and Conservation (ITBC), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and Sabah Parks made a thrilling discovery on Mount Kinabalu in late 2023 when they rediscovered the critically endangered Mesilau Stream Toad (Ansonia guibei).

The toads were once relatively common but was feared extinct after the devastating earthquake in 2015 caused massive damage to the species’ habitat.

This catastrophic even was expected to have caused significant declines in the toad’s population and even potential extinction. A survey in 2017 at Mesilau failed to locate any specimens, and this resulted in the species being listed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

With funding from the Asian Species Action Partnership (ASAP), the research team lead by Assoc. Prof. Evan Quah of ITBC, UMS set out to reassess the status of the species last year.

In September 2023, the team were elated rediscover of a single subadult specimen of the Mesilau Stream Toad at its type locality. In addition, tadpoles of the toad were also recorded in the main Mesilau River and Tibabar Stream.

These findings are extremely encouraging as it not only indicates the species survives, but is also breeding. The research team is continuing to monitor the toads at Mesilau to gather more ecological data on the species post-earthquake.

The Mesilau Stream Toad still faces many ongoing threats. Firstly, it has an extremely restricted range and is confined only to the Mesilau watershed on Mount Kinabalu which makes it vulnerable to any extensive changes in the environment.

Second, the preliminary data collected by the team indicates that the habitat of the toad has not fully recovered after the 2015 earthquake. Landslides still frequently occur at the cliff faces exposed after the earthquake, especially during the rainy season.

Runoff and siltation from the landslides affect the water quality of the waterways where the toads breed.

Finally, similar to other montane endemics, the Mesilau Stream Toad faces the ever-present threat of climate change. As a species that evolved to thrive in the cool, moist conditions of high elevations, it will be vulnerable to changes brought upon by a warming climate.

Thus, the data collected from this ongoing study is critical in the construction of a sound conservation plan to ensure the survival of the species. Details of the findings were just published this week in the journal Zootaxa.