WEDNESDAY, 08 APRIL – A total of 104 students of the Industrial and Organisation Psychology Club, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) were thrilled to have visited the Federal Territory of Labuan, recently.

They were students from first and second year of the Industrial and Organisation Psychology Programme, Faculty of Psychology and Education (FPP) who were involved in various activities organised in conjunction with the Self-Awareness Programme 2015.

Programme director, Tengku Nur Amirah Izyan Diyana Tengku Zaman said the programme was geared to guidance and indirect learning thus fostering relationship among students and lecturers involved.

He said the programme also aimed to provide encouragement and motivation to students in the aspects of academic and personal-development.

In addition, it also foster and encourage bonding among students through peer-guiding between year two and year one students and guidance from lecturers (mentor-mentee).



“We are very excited to have have the programme at the Federal Territory of Labuan because a large of the students who orginates from Sabah, Sarawak and the Peninsular set foot for the first time at this duty-free island that is fast developing,” she said.

She was met after having a briefing and meeting with the Director of UMS Labuan International Campus, Associate Professor Dr. Murnizam Haji Halik.

The students also explored the Japanese War Monument at Taman Damai, Layang-Layangan and Taman Burung including the Chimney Museum at Kampung Lubok Temiang.

A brainstorming session on academic, learning and teaching as well as a cultural night were also held.

Meanwhile, Dr. Murnizam hoped the three-day programme would provide extra advantages to the students involved in facing various challenges in the world of higher education.

He said as a student of higher learning institution, they should show exemplary manners not only to their peers but also the local community especially students of primary and secondary schools who had the intention to further their tertiary education in universities such as UMS.

“We want highly educated students to give back to UMS and the community in their own areas,” she concluded. – ZMD (fl)


Source: Azri Onn


Media and Citra Division
 

TUESDAY, 07 APRIL – More than 200 participants from four universities including Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) participated in the Regional Conference Series 2 on Campus Sustainability organised by UMS EcoCampus Management Centre, starting today.

According to UMS Vice-Chancellor, Professor Datuk Dr. Mohd Harun Abdullah, the conference provided a space for sharing of expertise in terms of education and research by the universities involved.

“The issue on environment including climate change is a challenge faced by the community in various places, thus UMS strives to conduct research to understand the long term implications on serious matters like this,” he said.

His speech was read by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni), Professor Dr. Ismail Ali.

He added, as the only main university in Sabah, it was UMS’ responsibility to educate and conduct research that can assist in the sustainable management of natural resources.

Earlier, Director of UMS EcoCampus Management Centre, Associate Professor Dr. Justin Sentian said the conference was also able to strengthen their efforts to raise awareness on campus sustainability extensively.

The three-day conference was also attended by Universiti Malaysia (UM) and two other universities based in the Philippines, Adamson University and Palawan State University. – ZMD (fl)


Photo: Johaidi Ismail


Media and Citra Division
 

TUESDAY, 7 APRIL – Ethnic languages from the various ethnic groups, especially the minorities in Sabah should be preserved and protected from facing extinction.

This was emphasised by the Speaker, Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Pandikar Amin Hj Mulia who demanded that the leaders of today look at the matter seriously.

“Preserving the traditional costumes of the ethnic groups is as important as preserving the ethnic heritage as both describe the uniqueness of the groups.

“However, the government tends to promote the traditional costumes of the various ethnic groups more as an effort to maintain them, but less effort on defending the diversity of the various languages of the minority ethnic groups in Sabah.

“Citing the slogan ‘Bahasa Jiwa Bangsa’, it is a really sad scenario watching young kids donning their traditional costumes, but unable to communicate in their native language, where the exterior is only meant for show but with an empty interior,” he emphasised.

He was speaking at the opening of the Preschool Heritage Language Education Forum at Dewan Bankuasi (Banquet Hall) Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) this morning.

Pandikar added, four sources that led to the extinction of heritage language were our own wrong-doing, an education system that adopts Bahasa Melayu, everyday social interaction and the mass media.

“The perception of our parents once considered being proficient in the national language, namely Bahasa Melayu was the pathway to success, thus marginalising our mother tongue and putting it on the verge of extinction.

“Although the national language is the medium to unite the various races in the country, but why was it done at the expense of the heritage of ethnic minorities?

He praised the efforts by UMS in organising such forum that could open the eyes of various parties on the importance of the protection of our heritage language from pre-school level.

“According to a study by researchers, a race when educated from early pre-school in its own native language will tend to excel in secondary level and onwards to university.

“Thus, with the organising of this forum, it is hoped that it could give new momentum to the cause of defending the ethnic heritage language,” he added.

The two-day forum was organised by the Centre for the Promotion of Knowledge and Language and the Kadazandusun Chair supported by SIL International Malaysia, Partners of Community Organisations (PACOS Trust) and the United States Embassy. – MA (fl)


Photo: Ernest Berinus


Media and Citra Division
 

TUESDAY, 07 APRIL – Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) through EcoCampus Management Centre signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Adamson University, Philippines today.

The ceremony was held at the Gallery, Chancellery Building after the opening of the Regional Conference on Campus Sustainability Series 2.

UMS was represented by its Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Student Affairs and Alumni, Associate Professor Dr. Ismail Ali whilst Dr. Erison C. Roque represented Adamson University.

Through the signing of the LoI, UMS EcoCampus Centre's capacity in organising regional conferences on sustainability will be further enhanced.

The collaboration will involve education and exchange of staff and students as well as cooperation in organising seminars, workshops and conferences.

Also present were the Director of EcoCampus, Associate Professor Dr. Justin Sentian and the Chairman of the Conference, Dr. Hassanal Bahar Pengiran Bagul. – SS (fl)


Photo: Johaidi Ismail


Media and Citra Division