FRIDAY, 15 NOVEMBER – Founder of the ‘Teaching Games for Understanding' (TGfU), Dr. Rod Thorpe held a talk recently to students of the School of Education and Social Development (SPPS).

Held at the SPPS Seminar Room 1, Dr. Rod presented a talk on ‘Teaching Games for Understanding –Evolution of an Approach 1960 to 2012’.

According to Sports Science lecturer, Dr. Mohamad Nizam Nazarudin, students were exposed to the development model of TGfU and the importance of physical education teaching using the said method, through practical sessions.

He said the presence of Dr. Rod created an air of excitement among students in learning the techniques and added an interest to later implement them in school the skills learned.

Meanwhile, Dr. Rod said in his talk, that children absolutely love activities that involved a lot of loco -motor or non loco-motor movements.

“They seemed to be more active and more inquisitive when the games were played as compared to learning activities in a classroom environment,” he stated.

TGfU is a teaching and learning concept created by David Bunker and Rod Thorpe in 1982 at the University of Loughborough through observation where they discovered that traditional learning of physical education gained less interest among students. It is an educational learning towards understanding which could attract the attention of children, either inside or outside of the classroom so that they would not feel bored.

The talk ended with a presentation of souvenirs to Dr. Rod by Dr. Mohamad Nizam who represented the Dean of SPPS, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ismail Ibrahim. – SS

 
Source: SPPS

 
Media Division
Chancellery Department

MONDAY, 11 NOVEMBER – The air of festivities at the Agri Carnival which was held at the School of Sustainable Agriculture (SPL) premises Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Sandakan Branch Campus recently was further sparked by such events such as the Sandakan Top Chef and Flower Arrangement Competition.

With the theme Malaysian Cuisine, the competition had attracted participation from the surrounding community around the district which included restaurant owners, colleges and higher education institutions.

For the Sandakan Top Chef event, the competition was won by Team Kura-kura Dalam Perahu (Tortoise In the Boat) consisting of Food and Catering students from the Community Development Department (KEMAS) Sandakan. Their cuisine won the hearts of the judges leading them to win the title and bringing home prizes in the form of cash, certificate, hamper and rice.

The Flower Arrangement Competition which had showcased some creativity saw Shamsar Samsudin beating other participants to win this competition and bringing home cash prize, certificate and hamper.

In the meantime, the manager of both competitions, Azahari Wilson when contacted by UMS Chancellery Media said that the organising of these competitions was aimed at forging closer rapport between UMS and the Sandakan community.

“It is also a way to get them involved by introducing UMS Sandakan Branch Campus community to this Natural Environment society,” he added.

The SPL Agri Carnival 2013 which went on for three days was the focus of the community there more so with the presence of Stacy AF, Felix Agus, Lotter AG and Alex Raja Lawak. The official opening ceremony was done by the Chief Minister of Sabah, Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Hj. Aman. – SS

 

Media Division
Chancellery Department

MONDAY, 11 NOVEMBER – The Chief Minister of Sabah, Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Hj Aman urged that research in the field of agriculture industry be translated to a community project which will benefit and add knowledge to farmers, breeders as well as agricultural entrepreneurs.

He said the involvement and investments from private sectors in the agriculture industry should support Sabah’s economic development.

“The expertise at the university level should be shared with government agencies and industry so that the development of the state agricultural industry becomes more comprehensive, orderly and systematic,” he said.

“Sustainable economic development not only dependent on government spending but also through investments from the private sector,” he added. He said this at the launching ceremony of the Agriculture Carnival 2013, School of Sustainable Agriculture (SPL) and the launch of MyAgrosis at SPL’s Multipurpose Hall, UMS Sandakan Branch Campus yesterday.

He praised UMS efforts in organising the Agri Carnival in Sandakan which showed that UMS placed priority on human capital development and the spread of knowledge including bringing the institution closer to the public.

Earlier, UMS Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd. Harun Abdullah said the carnival was organised with the aim to expose UMS students to venture into agricultural industry as agricultural entrepreneurs.

He stressed that MyAgrosis Club was one of the positive steps taken that would be able to produce skilful professional agricultural entrepreneurs under the guidance of the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) and the Fisheries Department Malaysia.

“I believe with the students involvement in MyAgrosis Club would help to implement some key elements such as self-discipline, leadership, ethics, communication and negotiation skills, thus preparing students to become successful agricultural entrepreneurs who are capable and easily adaptable with the rural communities,” he said.

Among those present at the launching ceremony were Sandakan Municipal Council President, Datuk Ir. James Wong; TSH Resources Berhad Chairman, Datuk Dr. Kelvin Tan Aik Pen; Sabah FAMA Chairman, Ribin Wahid and Area Manager of Agrobank Sabah, Rosli Yahya. – MA


Media Division
Chancellery Department