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 – 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, 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
MONDAY, 6 APRIL – The involvement of the young generation in sustainable environmental programmes is vital to ensure the sustainability on environmental conservation efforts for the future.
Director of EcoCampus Management Centre Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Associate Professor Dr. Justin Sentian explained that the participation of the young generation particularly university students in this information sharing programme would improve their knowledge on environmental sustainability.
“We welcome the support from youths especially university students from various disciplines and different faculties in environmental sustainability programmes organised by UMS.
“Various education programmes held were hoped to be able to improve their skills in respect of nature conservation, as well as to raise awareness on the importance of the on-going conservation efforts,” he said.
He said this when officiating the Pre-Conference Colloquium on Campus Sustainability for Students at the Gallery this morning.
He hoped participants of the programme would take advantage of the opportunities in sharing knowledge through direct communication and interaction with guest speakers.
The one-day programme organised by UMS International Affairs Office saw lectures in the morning by three invited speakers namely Bernard Tai, Sabah Head WWF Sabah; Faculty of Business, Economics and Accounting lecturer, Dr. Awangku Hassanal Bahar Pengiran Bagul and Faculty of Science and Natural Resources, Dr. Bonaventure Vun Leong Wan.
In the afternoon, the 100-odd students from various faculties including international students did some outdoor activities including tree identification, tree health assessment, and DIY Environment with UMS Childcare Centre. – MA (fl)
Photo: Suzeanywati Gasinin, BPK
Media and Citra Division
MONDAY, 6 APRIL – Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) won a gold at the Silat Cekak Pusaka Hanafi National Self-defence Championship Higher Learning Institutions (IPT) and Schools Level 2015 in conjunction with the Kuala Lumpur Silat Festival that was held recently.
The sole gold medal was won through the Men’s General Creative Category represented by Mohd Elias Ramli, Radika Kalbie, Muhammad Zaid Usman, Nasrul Sharuddin, Ahmad Shabrie Sairun and Md Saiful Azizie Osman.
Two more bronze medals were bagged through the Umum Papan Sekeping Men’s Category and Umum Papan Sekeping Women’s Category.
Papan Sekeping Men was represented by Ismail Suhaili, Md Saiful Azizie Osman, Mohd Firdaus Affandi, Mohd Faiz Abdul Malik, Ahmad Shabrie Sairun and Muhammad Faezuddin Mertadza.
Meanwhile, the Papan Sekeping Women was represented by Nur Athirah Amiruddin, Nurul Atikah Mohd Zin, DK Nur Syafiqah Adilah Tahir, Nurhidayah Abdul Razak, Nur Farahim Salihin and Syafiqah Sabeli.
The championship held at the National Sports Complex, Kg. Pandan Kuala Lumpur was participated by 32 IPT from across the country and saw UMS ranked fourth.
The titleholder was International Education College (INTEC) with a total medal haul of eight gold medals, one silver and one bronze. Second place went to Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Puncak Alam with one gold, five silver and third place went to Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) with overall medal haul of one gold, two silver and six bronze.
The closing ceremony was officiated by the Minister of Education II, Dato’ Seri Idris Jusoh. – ZMD (fl)
Media and Citra Division
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