KOTA KINABALU: Mabul islanders in Semporna can look forward to the possibility of making money from plastic waste soon.

Universiti Malaysia Sabah's Research and Innovation Management Centre deputy director Dr Jidon Janaun said the varsity is working on the 'Plastic Up-cycling Project: Plastic to Fuel' with the hope that the experiment would create a circular economy for the community.

Despite being famous as a tourist destination, the 20-hectare Mabul island, with about 2,500 residents, have limited resources and lack of proper waste management.

"It is expensive to ship the waste to Semporna town. The easiest way for the people at Mabul is either to bury, burn or dump the waste into the sea.

"We believe if we can show the people how to make money, it will be a workable solution," he said during a recent webinar with BluHope on Commonwealth Day, adding that the solution to put value to plastic would lead to proper waste disposal awareness among the community.

Jidon added that the project aimed to convert plastics into diesel to be used to fuel generators and boat engines.

Despite the name "Appropriate Technology Pyrolyser", he said the 3T system or Trash-to-tank innovation was not rocket science as the process involved putting certain types of plastics and coconut husks into a machine to produce fuel.

The usable plastic materials include containers, bags, bottle caps, cutlery, straws and styrofoam.

"The beauty of the innovation is the fuel has the same properties of commercial diesel which can be used in generators as well as boat engines, which both are commonly used by the people there.

He added that the team was also looking into bringing in and using solar-powered electrical heaters to maximise the green element for the innovation.

The 4-litre capacity prototype cost is around RM7,000.

Jidon said they were planning to license the intellectual property out to companies for mass production so more people can own the unit.

"We are also open for the government to adopt this process and engage agencies or non-governmental organisations to run the business."

Source: https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2021/03/672574/ums-working-help-mabul-community-manage-plastic-waste 

KOTA KINABALU: A total of 27 Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) staff in the B40 group received devices here today through the UMS Management and Professional Officers Association (PPUMS) initiative.

UMS Vice Chancellor, Prof. Datuk ChM. Ts. Dr. Taufiq Yap Yun Hin said the Tabung PPUMS PdPR (home-based teaching and learning) was launched to help ease the UMS parents into the new norm of PdPR for students nationwide.

“I have been informed that the fund has successfully provided a total of 27 devices to eligible recipients. All applications have been evaluated by the PPUMS PdPR Equipment Recipient Selection Committee,” said Dr. Taufiq during a presentation ceremony held at UMS here today.

“I can imagine the great difficulties faced by parents especially in seeing their children scrambling to learn. The intention is there but there is no equipment to use for learning and this greatly disrupts the learning process.

“Although students can return to school with this new SOP, this device still has a very important function, especially in finding learning materials online,” he added.

Dr. Taufiq also called upon parents to ensure that the devices are used for learning.

“On this occasion, I would also like to record appreciation on behalf of UMS to the 126 Tabung PdPR contributors who have accumulated a total of RM14,003 in a period of two weeks starting January 25 and ending February 7.

“Interestingly, contributions were received from all levels whether from the group of management and professional, academics, support groups, retirees, statutory staff and external companies.

“Indeed, this proves that our family spirit is very strong in this difficult time no matter what position and wherever we are,” he added.

According to PPUMS president Mohamad Edrus Othman, the association received over 100 applications and eligible recipients hail from UMS Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Labuan branches.

Source: https://www.theborneopost.com/2021/03/05/27-ums-staff-in-b40-group-receive-devices/

KOTA KINABALU: The Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Hospital is expected to begin operations by the end of next year. 

UMS Board of Directors Chairman Datuk Sri Abdul Rahman Dahlan said it would serve as a practical training centre for UMS students.

He said it would also be open to the public seeking medical treatment. 

“The hospital with a capacity of 400 beds will provide facilities to the public.

“We hope the construction of the hospital will be a catalyst for the well-being of the people in the state,” he told the media after the Pro-Chancellor Appointment Letter Presentation Ceremony to the Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor.

Hajiji Mohd Noor has been appointed effective Jan. 1, 2021. 

Head of State Tun Dr Juhar Muhairuddin handed over the letter to Hajiji at the Istana Negeri. Apart from Hajiji, another UMS Pro Chancellor is Tan Sri Azman Hashim.

 Present were UMS Vice-Chancellor Prof. Datuk ChM. Ts. Dr Taufiq Yap Yun Hin and senior officials.

Also making a courtesy call was the new Sabah Federal Secretary Datuk Dr. Zulkapli Mohamed who replaced Datuk Samsuni Mohd Nor.

By: Salbinous Saribun

KOTA KINABALU: A Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) graduate, who made a short film about her father's artistic life journey, emerged a winner for the Best Screen Play award at the recent Limkokwing Youth International Film Festival.

Siti Nuryshirah Mohd Anwar's short film entitled 'Penjara Seni' earned her a trophy and a certificate after beating 50 other contestants, including participants from China, Iran, Pakistan, Brazil, India, Philippines, Botswana, Swaziland, Syria, and Krygyzstan.

The 14-minute 19 second film featured the life story of her father, Mohd Anwar Mahmud Chuchu, who was a self-taught artist and went through challenges to chase his artistic dreams. The film was Siti Nurshurah's final year project.

Describing her win as unexpected, Siti Nuryshirah said she did not have high hope as she had submitted the same short film to other contests but luck was not on her side.

"However, I do believe that as long as there's an opportunity, there is no harm in trying. I am grateful to have won my first award and it is an international award," said the aspiring film-maker.

Siti Nursyahirah, who is a visual technology graduate, said she had chosen to tell the life story of her father because it was such an inspiring journey that the public should know as it would inspire those going through similar journey.

Through her short film, she hoped to open the eyes of all people that "self-thought artists" do exists and that their talent should not be judged by rank or position.

"My father always tells us how he became an artist. He told us how his school teachers often scolded him for filling up his exercise books with drawings and ordered him to get out of the class for doodling on the blackboard.

"But all these did not deter him from continuing with his artistic talent. My father sold 'kuih' to buy his drawing equipment and his passion for art intensified when a teacher from abroad purchased his artwork for RM5 during secondary school.

"In his adulthood, my father took courage and entered an art contest. Many professional and educated artists also joined. It was here, where my father was looked down upon and labelled as 'pelukis kampungan'," she said.

Siti Nursyahirah said after her father won the competition, he was offered to further his artistic talent in London.

However, due to financial constraint, he had to turn down the offer. Despite the setback he nevertheless managed to open his own art gallery.

Siti Nursyahirah said winning the youth international film festival could not be made possible without the help and support of her siblings, friends, and university lecturers, among others.

"It is my hope that our country organises more art competitions and that the government provides more fund to our artists, especially film-makers.

"The nation has many talented film-makers, who are facing difficulty in producing their work due to insufficient fund. I also hope the quality of Malaysian artists would continue to thrive to be on par with international art activists," she said.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2021/02/668266/ums-graduate-wins-limkokwing-youth-international-film-festival