TUESDAY, 11 JUNE – Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) creates history when it signed a Memorandum of Intent (MoI) to collaborate with Wako University of Tokyo, Japan. With the signing of the memorandum, it marks the bonding of two higher learning institutions in both countries in the field of education and research.

Speaking at the function, Wako University President, Prof. Dr. Tatsuo Ito said, the memorandum not only opens a new chapter to the cordial relationship between UMS-Wako but also emphasises on the trust given to this EcoCampus University on Japanese education and research.

“This signing of memorandum with UMS is timely with Wako University’s intention to increase cooperation in the field of education and research. It covers exchange of students and academic staff, collaboration of publishing and academic information and professional development cooperation and community programmes.

“I believe this cooperation will strengthen the existing relationship and will contribute to the development of both institutions globally,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Student Affairs and Alumni UMS, ACP (K) Assoc. Prof. Datuk Dr. Hj. Kasim Hj. Md. Mansur in his reply speech recorded his highest appreciation to all staff and students of Wako University for their involvement in ensuring the success of the signing ceremony.

He said the cooperation would give high impact and benefits especially to UMS students in the field of business and economy, humanities, cultural and cocurricular activities.

“UMS is proud of this collaboration and hopes that it would be a platform for various future collaboration,” Datuk Dr. Kasim added. Also present to witness the signing ceremony was the Deputy President of Wako University, Prof. Dr. Toshio Umehara and UMS Senior Lecturer, Dr. Khairul Anuar Mohamad.

In another development, the UMS delegation had made a working visit to the Hirayama Ikuo Volunteer Center (WAVOC), Waseda University Japan. The delegation was welcomed by the Executive Director of Student Affairs, Prof. Dr. Nobuyuki Kamiya; WAVOC Managing Director, Takashi Togawa and WAVOC Head of Volunteer Projects, Assoc. Prof. Yukino Iwao. They were then given a talk on volunteer projects and student exchange conducted globally by WAVOC such as Korea, Rwanda, Vietnam, Tanzania, Kenya and Malaysia.

Among the noticeable projects was the Borneo Project which covers aspects of educational assistance and immigrant issue in Sabah. Datuk Dr. Hj. Kasim then suggested the establishment of a volunteer project UMS-Waseda under the purview of the Student Council of UMS. – FL

Source: Student Affairs Department
                                                                                                                       Information and Media Section, Corporate Relations Division

TUESDAY, 11 JUNE – The Student Council (MPP) Sports and Recreation Exco members in collaboration with Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Badminton Club organised a Closed Badminton Championship of this EcoCampus University to hone new talents with potential.

The championship which was conducted at UMS Main Lecture Hall A1 recently was divided into four categories namely Men Doubles, Women Doubles, Mixed Doubles and UMS Staff Doubles. A total of 17 teams competed in the Men Doubles and six teams for the Women Doubles. Meanwhile, the Mixed Doubles and Staff Doubles each had a total of 13 teams and four teams participating.

Skema 2 team emerged champions in the Men Doubles with an easy win of 21-14 and 21-14 against Skema 1 team thus placing Skema 1 team on the second spot, followed by Sabah Badminton Association (SBA) on the third spot with a win of 21-11 and 21-10 against Kampung Boy. As for the Women Doubles, SBA team emerged champion after beating Skema 1 team in a stiff fight with 21-14, 19-21 and 21-16 points. Third place went to Skema 2 team with an easy win of 21-14 and 21-16 against Lee team.

In the Mixed Doubles, Shuttle Club team was forced to accept defeat and took the second spot when they lost in the deciding set to Skema 2 with 21-17, 18-21 and 21-13. Skema team had to settle for third place. Meanwhile, Staff Doubles saw SUKIM team took the first spot, Jalil team second spot and Sport Dynamic the third.

According to the Badminton Programme Director who is also the MPP Sports and Recreation Exco member, Pang Ngiap Ting, the championship attracted 40 teams and was also seen as a good platform to foster closer ties among students regardless of ethnic, race and creed. Pang expressed his satisfaction with the students and invited clubs’ involvement and added that many other sporting activities will be organised in future and hoped that there will be more entries from students. He also recorded his appreciation to the invited clubs namely SBA and Labuan including all staff who participated in making the championship a success. – FL

Source: Sport Science Programme, SPPS
                                                                                                                            Information and Media Section, Corporate Relations Division

MONDAY, 10 JUNE – The Sepak Takraw Championship among Schools in Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) 2013 was held recently. The Championship which was organised by the Sports Centre UMS among others was to scout for new talents besides acting as a platform to produce healthy and competent students.

The Championship had realised their dream of becoming champions for the School of Education and Social Development (SPPS) when they successfully won all competitions. The final competition saw SPPS up against the School of Arts Studies (SPS) where both groups put up a stiff fight which continued till the third set. However, luck was on SPPS’ side when they won 21-13 in the first set, lost 20-22 on the second set but won again 15-10 in the deciding set. They were crowned champion whilst SPS the first runner-up. Third placing went to the School of Social Sciences (SSS).

UMS Sepak Takraw coach, Ahirunnisham Ahmad when met expressed his pride with the achievement shown by each players at the championship.

“I hope that this championship would continue to bring the sepak takraw sports to a higher level until international level,” he urged. Among the key success stories of SPPS were booster shots and guidance by their lecturers namely Pathmanathan K. Suppiah, a specialist in the study of motor and Hasnol Noordin, a Sport Psychology specialist besides Dr. Mohamad Nizam Nazarudin who helped in physical fitness.

A total of 10 schools of this EcoCampus University took part in the championship which was held at UMS Sports Complex. – FL

Source: Sports Science Programme, SPPS
                                                                                                                                 Information and Media Section, Corporate Relations Division

MONDAY, 10 JUNE – A delegation called Jejak Sakura Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) 2013 was conducted recently to universities around Tokyo, Japan. The delegation headed by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Student Affairs and Alumni, Assoc. Prof. Datuk Dr. Hj. Kasim Hj. Md. Mansur was also participated by a Senior UMS Lecturer, Dr. Khairul Anuar Mohamad and five UMS Student Representative Council (MPP) members.

At the first visit, the delegation visited the library, lecture halls, sports complex and students dormitories of the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (TUFS) campus accompanied by the university’s officer, Matsushita Daisuke. Besides touring interesting places, the delegation from this EcoCampus University also attended talks on the university’s education and researches by the Director of TUFS Academic Affairs Director, Prof. Dr. Miyazaki Koji and the TUFS Head of the Malay Language Programme Director, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Soda Naoki.

Dr. Soda voiced that the Malay Studies Programme was one of the programmes offered by TUFS. He said, eventhough there were many universities in Japan offering Malay Language Studies as an elective subject or second language, the country had only a few universities that offered Masters Programme in Malay Studies. He also reported that the Malay language had been taught in Japan since 1908.

The delegation was then brought to a Malay Language class to witness for themselves the session which was taught by a Malaysian, Assoc. Prof. Faridah Mohamed. All members of the delegation were fascinated to see the Japanese students studying diligently the Malay language besides being able to read and write in Jawi.

Datuk Dr. Hj. Kasim extended his invitation to students of the said programme to come and visit UMS and take part in the homestay programme so that they can learn the dialect, custom and culture of the communities in Sabah while enjoying the attractions that Kota Kinabalu has to offer.

MPP President, Mohd Juhar Harun who was also in the delegation was captivated by the excellent grammatical order and fluency of the Japanese students in speaking the Malay language. He hoped that a collaboration be made involving students of TUFS-UMS as an effort to help them delve further into the language.

The delegation then visited the Electro-Communications University (UEC), a science and technology driven university especially in the field of information and computer science, electronic enginering/mechatronic, physics and applied chemistry and Lazer Science. They were received by the International Relations Director, Prof. Dr. Hamano Nobuo and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Choo Cheow Keong.

The delegation was then given a talk on the foundation and programmes offered by the university. Datuk Dr. Hj. Kasim also expressed his interest in a joint collaboration with UEC in the field of science and engineering involving the exchange of academic staff and students in the field of education and research.

MPP members had a brief discussion with Malaysian students who were studying at UEC. According to Mohd Juhar, the sharing of ideas were important towards shaping a global thinking thus contributing to the success and development of the nation. At the end of the trip, the delegation visited other facilities including research laboratories in the field of robotics and material science. – FL

Source: Student Affairs Department, UMS
                                                                                                                           Information and Media Section, Corporate Relations Division