THURSDAY, 25 FEBRUARY – Students must be wise to seize the opportunities in various field provided by the government.

Labuan Member of Parliament (MP), Datuk Rozman Isli said, this was to ensure that students could continue their studies to a higher level, thereby obtaining employment and income, according to their qualification.

He said, at this current economic status and the decline in oil and gas industry, he was confident that Labuan could change direction in making the Federal Territory of Labuan as a premier education hub in the region.

“We are trying to make the Federal Territory of Labuan as a premier education hub in the region.  The existence of public and private higher learning institutions would make this government intention a reality,” he said.

He said this when officiating the 2016 School Leavers Carnival, Federal Territory of Labuan level held at the Main Lecture Hall, Universiti Malaysia Sabah Labuan International Campus (UMSKAL), recently.

The one-day carnival organised by UMSKAL was in collaboration with the office of Labuan MP and Labuan Development Foundation.

Also taking part in the carnival were City College of Business Management, UiTM Sabah branch, Industrial Training Institute (ILP), Labuan Matriculation College (KML), Faculty of International Finance Labuan (FKAL) and the Faculty of Computing and Informatics (FKI).

The carnival, held for the first time was attended by about 200 participants comprising students who would be sitting for the SPM and STPM this year as well as school leavers and students from the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP).

Also present were UMSKAL Director, Associate Professor Dr. Murnizam Hj Halik; Deputy Director of UMSKAL cum Organising Chairman, Associate Professor Dr. Geoffrey Harvey Tanakinjal and Dean of the Faculty of International Finance Labuan, Associate Professor Dr. Syed Nasirin Syed Zainol Abidin.

Also present were the Principal of City College, Hasliza Jusoh; Assistant Registrar of UiTM Sabah, Aminah Aman; Counselor of KML, Sadiah Jakob and the Head of E-Commerce programme FKI, Soffri Yussof.

Rozman, who is also the Chairman of Labuan Corporation said, through the carnival, participants especially Form 5 students could streamline the courses available, after leaving school.

He also reminded students not to be choosy in any field, but should always grab the opportunity that could help generate income and economy in the future.

He also thanked the Director and Deputy Director of UMSKAL for hosting the event that benefit the participants to obtain information that would help them after their exams.

He said, the facilities at UMSKAL was an attraction for students to continue their studies at UMSKAL.

“I am confident that through this carnival, participants will get various information including and the right channel to register into public and private higher learning institutions available locally and abroad,” he said.

Students also obtained information and tips on getting scholarship and how to face an interview, at the carnival.

More importantly, participants could experience campus life through the forums/dialogues held.

Besides Rozman, Dr. Murnizam and Dr. Geoffrey, the panelists for the 'Survival Campus' comprised of Dr. Anand Rau Krishnan, Mary Monica Jionny and Nona Masnie Mohd Nistah who shared the experiences as a student whilst studying in higher learning institutions, locally or abroad. – (fl)

Source: Azri Onn Othman, UMSKAL