Head of State, Tun Dr Juhar Mahiruddin graced the Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Hari Raya celebration at the Dewan Kuliah Pusat Ke-2 Complex.

Juhar was accompanied by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor and they were greeted by UMS Vice Chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Kasim Mansor.

Thousands of students attended the celebration and enjoyed the various spread of food and beverages.

Earlier, Dr Kasim in his speech said that the celebration with an open house concept has been practiced and has become a trend that will continue as an intermediary medium in continuing to nurture the spirit of unity and bridge the gap that may have existed all this time.

"Symbolically, this kind of practice is the strongest and most cohesive meeting ground to foster harmony.

"Differences in skin color, religion and race have never been an obstacle for us all to unite and celebrate this similarity with a sense of goodwill and harmony like a big family.

"This is the uniqueness of our country, Malaysia, which succeeds in fostering unity and harmony through this kind of celebration.

"Meanwhile, the food that is served proves that it is the catalyst for relationships and friendship," said Dr Kasim.

The Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSK) of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) played a key role in the successful organization of the Seminar Pergerakan Kesatuan Sekerja Di Malaysia (Trade Union Movement in Malaysia) held in conjunction with the 2024 National Workers' Day celebrations at the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in Bangi.

The seminar, themed “Pekerja KESUMA Bangsa,” was co-organized by the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), the Department of Trade Union Affairs (JHEKS), the Performance Acceleration Coordination Unit (PACU), and the Malaysian Social Science Association (PSSM).

Dr. Mahadirin Ahmad, the chairman of the organizing committee and a lecturer at FSSK UMS, emphasized the importance of the seminar in discussing the future of trade union movements in Malaysia.

“The seminar aligns with the empowerment agenda for workers in line with the Malaysia Madani framework and the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK-12), as well as the theme of this year’s Workers' Day: Pekerja Kesuma Bangsa,” he said.

Dr. Mahadirin also noted the presentation of the Resolusi 100 Tahun Kesatuan Sekerja Di Malaysia: Dulu dan Masa Depan (100 Years of Trade Unions in Malaysia: Past and Future Resolution) at the event.

The seminar attracted participants from various backgrounds, including trade unions, employers, academics, and students, contributing to the sustainability of knowledge in the field of workers' empowerment.

Minister of Human Resources, Steven Sim Chee Keong, expressed his support for the seminar, highlighting its importance in evaluating the achievements and relevance of trade unions in Malaysia today.

“The seminar is in line with KESUMA’s strategic 3K mission—Welfare, Skills, and Productivity of workers,” Sim said. "It is hoped that the seminar will gather and unify perspectives, particularly from trade unions, as workers play a crucial role in labor relations in this country."

He also announced that three resolutions were reached during the seminar, which is enhanced solidarity and collective action among trade unions, greater engagement and activity by trade unions and workers, and encouragement of reading, knowledge expansion, and critical thinking among workers and unions.

These resolutions reflect the shared priorities of trade unions in the country to advocate for workers' rights and interests.

Nearly 200 participants from public, private, and statutory sectors attended the seminar held at the Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye Hall, NIOSH Tower.

Academic staff and researchers from FSSK UMS involved in the seminar included Dr. Kee Y Sabariah Kee Mohd Yussof, Dr. Norhuda Salleh, Bazley Bee Basrah Bee, and FSSK master's student Nassiah Gaong. The seminar was also supported by lecturers from FSSK UKM, Dr. Sharifah Nursyahidah Syed Annuar, and trade union researcher Engrit Liaw.

The Disaster Research Centre (NDRC) of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) officially launched the Makmal Hidup Bencana Alam Melangkap (MaHBAM) in Kota Belud, Sabah, during the recent Bengkel Penubuhan Task Force Bencana Alam Melangkap (TFBAM) workshop.

The establishment of MaHBAM aims to achieve five main objectives, which is to build disaster-resilient communities through strengthening the capacity of Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM); empower community resilience and preparedness through disaster education and training; conduct research and disaster monitoring in Melangkap; implement science and technology in disaster risk reduction; and establish close collaboration with the community and stakeholders in disaster management.

At the official launch of MaHBAM, UMS Faculty of Science and Natural Resources (FSSA) Dean, Professor Dr. Jualang Azlan Gansau, emphasized that the lab would assist NDRC researchers in transferring disaster management knowledge to local communities.

“The lab will also channel the expertise of NDRC for conducting research in this area,” he said. “We hope this initiative will help the community adapt to disasters by finding the best solutions to save lives in case of emergencies.”

The launch was witnessed by Kota Belud Assistant District Officer, Winnie Anggon, and NDRC UMS Director, Associate Professor Ts. Gs. Dr. Carolyn M. Payus.

Dr. Carolyn explained that the establishment of MaHBAM was in response to a request from the Melangkap Baru village community, represented by the village head, Somboton Gunsalahon.

“The community hopes that NDRC UMS, along with relevant agencies, can assist them in disaster management efforts in the Melangkap area,” she said.

MaHBAM is the first living lab in UMS and the second in Sabah, following the Resilience Living Lab Kundasang launched by the Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Centre, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, last year, which focuses on community-driven disaster risk management.

Additionally, NDRC UMS has established the Task Force Bencana Alam Melangkap as part of MaHBAM’s activities. Dr. Carolyn noted that this task force is the first of its kind in Sabah, proposed by the community in collaboration with the Kota Belud Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) and the Civil Defence Force (APM).

The "Pameran Petak Pertama" exhibition, organized in collaboration with the Academy of Arts and Creative Technology (ASTiF) Alumni of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and the Azman Hashim Gallery UMS (GAH-UMS), served as a platform for emerging artists to take their first steps into Malaysia's art industry.

The exhibition features works by 21 alumni from the UH621001 Visual Arts Technology cohort of 2020/2021 from ASTiF UMS, showcasing 46 paintings and sculptures. These works are on display and available for purchase at the Kalimaran and Kaamatan exhibition halls of GAH-UMS, from May 4 to June 14.

UMS Vice Chancellor, Prof. Datuk Dr. Kasim Hj Mansor, highlighted the involvement of ASTiF alumni in this exhibition as evidence of their ongoing commitment to their alma mater, even after graduation, fostering strong collaborations.

“The collaboration through this exhibition benefits both the participants and GAH-UMS. Appreciation should also be given to the ASTiF lecturers who have trained and produced talented graduates in the country’s visual arts field,” he said.

The exhibition was officiated by Malaysian Visual Arts Consultant and Founder of Pantau Iraga Art Space, Awang Damit Ahmad, at the Sekafi Auditorium, GAH-UMS. Prof. Madya Dr. Mohammad Puad Bebit, Director of GAH-UMS, delivered the Vice Chancellor’s speech.

In his speech, Awang Damit encouraged young artists to continue their journey in the arts, even as the art industry undergoes changes due to globalization and urbanization.

“Malaysia’s younger generation of artists must keep moving forward and act as catalysts for future generations of artists,” he said.

He also emphasized the importance of institutions like GAH-UMS in providing opportunities for emerging artists to grow, create, and explore new possibilities in the field.

Following the opening, Awang Damit spent time with the artists in a discussion session titled “Masih Ada Ruang” (There is Still Space), where they discussed the current landscape of Malaysian art.

Also present at the event were UMS Chief Librarian, Md. Sazali Md. Salleh; Exhibition Organizing Director, Irham Zulhilmi Mohd. Johan; local artists; and artists from Brunei Darussalam.