Introduction
Chronology
Founded in June 2002
The history of the Research Management Centre (PPP) at Universiti Malaysia Sabah traces back to June 2002, a pivotal moment that heralded a new era of academic pursuit and scholarly advancement within our esteemed institution. Originally conceived as the Research and Conference Unit, our center embarked on a transformative journey, propelled by a vision to redefine the contours of research administration and scholarly engagement.
Growth & Evolution
Over the ensuing years, our center has evolved into a dynamic hub of intellectual inquiry and research management, catalyzing groundbreaking discoveries and fostering a culture of innovation and excellence.
Transform in April 2021
This evolution culminated in April 2021 with the rechristening of our center as the Research Management Centre (PPP), signifying a renewed commitment to propel research excellence to unprecedented heights.
Mission & Direction
At the heart of our mission lies an unwavering dedication to cultivating a vibrant scholarly community that transcends disciplinary boundaries and geographical confines. Through a multifaceted approach encompassing capacity-building initiatives, collaborative partnerships, and strategic resource allocation, we endeavor to create an ecosystem that nurtures intellectual curiosity and fosters transformative research outcomes.
Director's Message
The Research Management Centre (RMC) plays a central and strategic role in advancing Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS)βs research and innovation agenda. As the institutional backbone of the Universityβs Research, Development, Innovation, Commercialisation and Entrepreneurship (RDICE) ecosystem, RMC serves as the primary enabler that translates academic ideas into funded, governed, and impactful research outcomes.
At its core, RMC is committed to providing a professional, transparent, and efficient research management system that supports researchers throughout the entire research lifecycleβfrom grant identification and proposal development to project implementation, compliance, monitoring, reporting, and impact generation. In doing so, RMC safeguards institutional integrity, ensures accountability in the management of public and private research funds, and enhances the Universityβs standing as a credible and competitive research university.
The evolving research landscape, characterised by increasing regulatory requirements, competitive funding environments, interdisciplinary collaborations, and demands for measurable societal impact, necessitates a research management framework and delivery system that is coherent, effective, adaptive, responsive, and forward-looking. RMC recognises these challenges and remains committed to strengthening its systems, processes, and service delivery mechanisms to better serve the needs of researchers, faculties, research centres, industry partners, funding agencies, and the wider community.
Central to RMCβs mission is its people. The dedication, professionalism, and expertise of RMC staff are fundamental to the Centreβs ability to deliver high-quality services with integrity and consistency. RMC upholds a work culture grounded in accountability, integrity, teamwork, and continuous improvement, where every role contributes meaningfully to institutional success. Through effective coordination, clear communication, and a solution-oriented approach, RMC strives to be a trusted partner to all stakeholders.
As Director of the Research Management Centre (RMC), I am committed to fostering a collaborative and performance-driven environment that prioritises service excellence, governance, and innovation. Moving forward, RMC will continue to strengthen its role as a strategic enabler within UMS, supporting research excellence, facilitating impactful collaborations, and ensuring that the Universityβs research endeavours contribute meaningfully to national priorities, regional development, and global knowledge creation.
Together, we will continue to build a resilient, professional, and future-ready research management ecosystem that empowers UMS to realise its full potential as a university that creates knowledge with purpose and impact, in line with the varsityβs agenda of βleading through innovative societies,β and aspiration as βThe Brain of Borneoβ.
Thank you.
PROF. DR. LAI YEW MENGΒ
Directer, Research Management Centre(RMC)
Universiti Malaysia Sabah
Wall of Fame
Honouring the leadership that has shaped the growth and progress of PPP
PROF. DR. JUMAT BIN SULAIMAN
Pengarah, Pusat Pengurusan Penyelidikan (PPP)
2023 - 2026
2023 - 2026
PROF. DR. ABDULLAH BIN GANI
Pengarah, Pusat Pengurusan Penyelidikan (PPP)
2021 β 2023
2021 β 2023
PROF. MADYA DR. AZALI SAUDI
Pengarah, Pusat Pengurusan Penyelidikan dan Inovasi (PPP)
2020 β 2022
2020 β 2022
PROF. MADYA DR. NORMAH AWANG BESAR@RAFFIE
Pengarah, Pusat Penyelidikan dan Inovasi (PPP)
2018 β 2020
2018 β 2020
PROF. MADYA DR. LEE PING CHIN
Pengarah, Pusat Penyelidikan dan Inovasi (PPP)
2016 β 2018
2016 β 2018
PROF. DR. FELIX TONGKUL
Pengarah, Pusat Penyelidikan dan Inovasi (PPP)
2015 β 2016
2015 β 2016
Drive Strategy, funding and management
STRATEGIC AND EXCELLENCE DIVISION OF RESEARCH
- MyRA data collection, reporting & submission
- MyRA briefings & faculty roadshows
- MyRA data provision committee coordination
- Internal & external research data audits
- Internal auditorβs appointments
- Strategic management affairs
- UMS-KRA 2 reporting
- Research collaboration initiatives
- Postdoctoral appointments & extensions
- Research Fellow / Associate Research Fellow applications
- Postdoctoral appointment application meetings
- Strategic Special Fund Scheme (DKS) management
- Living Lab Fund Scheme (DLV) management
RESEARCH FUND AND DATA DIVISION
- Research grant announcements & applications
- External grant financial briefings
- Grant documentation & proposal submission
- RA/GRA appointments and allowances
- Grant utilisation advisory
- Ministry research grant applications
- Expenditure claims & financial statements
- Budget & balance reporting
- MyGRANTS system updates
- Monitoring expenditure
- Corporate credit card management
- Financial reporting & audit support
ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE DIVISION
- PPP executive, administrative & departmental meetings
- MS ISO audit coordination
- Attendance, performance, leave & training oversight
- Staff portfolio & human resource records
- Department records & documentation management
- Customer complaints & quality management handling
- Office logistics, facilities & maintenance coordination
- Contractor & service provider management
- Asset, inventory & storage management
- Departmental retreats & team-building coordination
- Expenditure estimation & financial meetings
- Trust account reconciliation
- Procurement & purchasing processes
- Claims processing & petty cash management
- Budget monitoring & performance reporting