WEDNESDAY, 31 JULY – Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) through its branch campus Labuan International Campus (UMSKAL) had organised a Blue Ocean Strategy Charity Drive at Banggi Island, Kudat recently.

Also joining in the programme were the Civil Defence Department (JPAM) Labuan, Air Force Reserve Officers Training (PALAPES Udara) UMSKAL, State Legislative Assembly N1 Banggi Office and the District Office of Kudat.

UMSKAL Director, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ismail Ali said the programme was aimed at increasing the level of awareness to government and government agencies’ staff to ease the burden of those who need help.

He was representing the Vice-Chancellor of UMS, Prof. Datuk Dr Mohd Harun Abdullah, he said that it will also strengthen the relationship between UMS and the community thereby instilling the reading culture among the public.

“It is a noble effort by the staff and not to dampen their enthusiasm eventhough in the month of Ramadhan where they have to be under the hot weather,” he said this at the handing over of 100 units of mattresses and 150 unit of chairs to the representative of the Banggi Island community, Amir Hamzah. Participants also handed out dates and reading materials for the community’s use including students at Banggi Island in Kudat.

Meanwhile, Member of the Legislative Assembly (ADUN) for Banggi, Datuk Abdul Mijul Unaini expressed his thanks and appreciation for their efforts to reduce the burden of the community in Banggi Island.

He was represented by Amir Hamzah and hoped that the contributions and assistance will foster a closer relationship between UMS and the community of Banggi Island.

Also present were the JPAM Director, Major (PA) Awang Askandar Ampuan Yaacub; Adjutant of PALAPES Udara UMSKAL, Captain Muqlis Badrul Hisham and the Deputy Registrar of UMSKAL, Zamri Mohamad Tuah. – FL

Source: Azri Onn, UMSKAL
                                                                                                                               Information and Media Section, Corporate Relations Division

TUESDAY, 30 JULY – The Head of State, Tun Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Juhar Haji Mahiruddin and wife Toh Puan Datuk Seri Panglima Hajah Norlidah Datuk R. M. Jasni spent time breaking fast with staff and students of this EcoCampus University at a breaking of fast ceremony held at UMS Mosque last night.

At the function, Tun Haji Juhar who is also UMS Chancellor presented Hari Raya contributions to 39 students of Sekolah Menengah Agama Kota Kinabalu, besides presenting zakat to 17 male staff. 14 female staff also received contributions from Toh Puan Hajah Norlidah.

Earlier, Tun Haji Juhar witnessed the presentation of zakat contributions from the Sabah Zakat Centre to UMS. Sabah Senior Assistant Secretary of the Sabah Zakat Centre, Jaludin Dulah, presented zakat amounting to RM13,000 to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd. Harun Abdullah. At exactly 6.35 pm, azan was heard; the Head of Islamic and Mosque Affairs UMS, Dr. Muhamad Suhaimi Taat led the prayers for the breaking of fast which was then followed by the breaking of fast by all present.

The Head of State then performed the Solat Maghrib, Isyak and Solat Sunat Tarawih at UMS Mosque with about 300 staff and students consisting of Principal and Senior Officers of the University, Deans, Heads of Departments and students of UMS. – FL

By: Mohd. Affzanizam B Mohd Amin
Photo: Musaab Umair
                                                                                                                                    Information and Media Section, Corporate Relations Division

MONDAY, 29 JULY – Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) continues to organise various knowledgeable programmes in efforts to impart to its staff various knowledge in line with its main objective as a treasure house of knowledge. This EcoCampus University through the Chancellery Department once again had organised a talk on ‘Income Generating by IPTA’ which was held at the Chancellery Building UMS.

The charm and wit of the invited guest speaker Prof. Dr. Nor Azazi Zakaria captured the interest of the more than 200 attendees consisting of both academic and non-academic staff. The official opening was done by UMS Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd Harun Abdullah.

Speaking at the function, Datuk Dr. Harun said that income generating is an important agenda during his tenure at the university, thus he hopes to see the Universiti Malaysia Sabah Income Generating Policy which was approved on 13 February 2013 by the University’s Board of Directors be developed further.

“We want the policy to be transparent so that each Department, School, Centre, Institute and Unit (JSPIU) will effectively play their roles in generating income according to the guidelines,” he said.

“I would like to see that every JSPIU be given the trust especially for income generating so that this would be regulated by each JSPIU and controlled by the Bursary Department,” he added.

According to him, income generating comes not only in the form of money but also includes various aspects of savings.

“The University could save millions of ringgit from going to a waste through savings and to spend that money on more beneficial and important matters. Besides, yearly operational costs could be reduced or kept at the same level without incurring more costs.

“I urge all Heads of JSPIU to refer to the Bursary Circular Bil. 2 Year 2008 regarding the guidelines on prudent spendings,” Datuk Dr. Harun added.

Also present were the Registrar, Datuk Abdullah Hj Mohd Said; Deputy Vice-Chancellor Student Affairs and Alumni, Assoc. Prof. Datuk Dr. Kasim Hj Md Mansur and the Bursar, Tuan Hj. Rizal Othman. - FL

By Salbinous Saribun
Photo: Suzeanywaty
                                                                                                                             Information and Media Section, Corporate Relations Division

MONDAY, 29 JULY – Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) moved a step forward through a collaboration with the Tokyo Institute of Technology (TITEC) to commercialise a joint research project in the field of nano technology through the production of nano fibres and nano fibre membrane.

UMS Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd Harun Abdullah headed the delegation to Tokyo to discuss further cooperation in the field of commercialising this technology while TITEC was represented by its Executive Vice-President, Professor Kiyoshi Okada. The result, UMS will be the research site for commercialisation whilst a company based on oil and gas in Malaysia will be the partner.

Nano fibre products will be used as an absorbent agent for oil spills in the oil and gas industry, while nano fibre membrane will be used for the distillation of sea water and industrial wastewater to produce clean water.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
According to research facts conducted by UMS and TITEC, nano fibres are able to absorb up to 50 gram of oil for every gram of fibre in less than 30 seconds. The system will also be able to clean up oil spill at a rate of 1 ton per hour.

This technology is the first of its kind in the world introduced to the oil and gas industry. The nano fibre industry is expected to expedite the cleaning process of oil spills which will save many natural lives and solve the problem of oil spills during strong sea wave.

The use of nano fibre membrane in the distillation of sea water is expected to save energy costs by more than 50% compared to reverse osmosis and at the same time reduce blocked membrane.

Also present at the discussion were the Registrar, Datuk Abdullah Hj Mohd. Said; Dean of the School of Engineering and Information Technology (SKTM) who is also an expert in the nano technology, Ir Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rosalam Sarbatly and SKTM Senior Lecturer, Dr. Mohd Kamil Wan Ibrahim. – FL

Source: School of Engineering and Information Technology
                                                            
                                                                                                                               Information and Media Section, Corporate Relations Division