TUESDAY, 25 JUNE – UMS through the Sports Science Programme, School of Education and Social Development (SPPS) is actively conducting programmes and activities which contribute to the development and progress of the sporting field, especially in Sabah.

An international conference on Sports Science organised by SPPS was held at the Auditorium, Postgraduate Studies UMS.  The three-day conference recorded 105 participants from within and outside the country, among them are Bangladesh, Egypt, Taiwan, Thailand and the Philippines.

The Minister of Youth and Sports Sabah, Datuk Tawfiq Datuk Seri Panglima Abu Bakar Titingan when officiating the ‘1^st UMS International Sports Science Conference’ (UISSCo) 2013' at the Sabah Oriental Hotel said, the initiative of a group of Sports Science lecturers in setting up a unit with certain Sabah government agencies, would be able to increase their performance in the sports championship, especially in the forthcoming Sukan Malaysia (SUKMA).

“I am happy with the smart partnership among UMS, Sabah National Sports Council (MSN), National Sports Institute (ISN) and sports associations; Sabah’s dream of becoming champion in the coming SUKMA games is achievable,” he said.

Meanwhile, UMS Vice-Chancellor Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd Harun Abdullah said the aim of organising UISSCo acts as a platform for researchers to network and disscuss their research and latest findings in the field of sports.  He added that UMS is committed to contribute towards development and the progression of sports in Sabah.

“UMS hopes that with the exchange of these ideas, sports in Malaysia would continue to improve, especially in Sabah.  A committee had been formed, consisting of UMS, Sabah National Sports Institute Satelite Centre, Sabah Sports Council and Sabah Sports Board to improve the performance of Sabah SUKMA athletes.  UMS hopes to contribute not only in improving the achievements of athletes in Sabah, but also towards the development and the flair of sports science, in Malaysia and the whole world,” he said.

This conference would see more than 50 working papers presented by sports science practitioners, among whom are Prof. Dr. Zahari Bin Taha (Sports Technology), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd. Khairi Zawi (Biomechanic), Prof. Dr. Jeff Coombes (Physiology Exercise) and Prof. Dr. Shaharudin bin Abdul Aziz (Sports Psychology). – FL

By: Mohd. Affzanizam Mohd. Amin
Photo: Suzeanywati Gasinin

                                                                                                   Information and Media Section, Corporate Relations Division
 

MONDAY, 24 JUNE – Kampung Mabul located at the south-eastern part of Sabah is populated by fishermen comprising of Sea Bajau and Suluk ethnics.  Both these ethnic groups experienced hardships in making ends meet for their families because of unpredicted sea produce caught.

By spending most of their time fishing at the border of the Malaysian-Philippines waters, they risk their lives in the middle of the sea in search for a mere income of RM750 a family.  Determined to end this sad tale, Enactus UMS which was known as SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) UMS had helped this community by innovating the Payao Project.

Inspired by artificial reefs which can only be applied to shallow waters, Enactus UMS had implemented this environment-friendly tool called Payao which consists of 3 main parts comprising float, anchor and the most interesting part, fish.  This tool attracts various fishes especially Tuna resulting in fishermen at Mabul Island gaining a consistent catch.  Through this project, fishermen at Mabul Island need only fish around the Payao area thus reducing their time in the sea.

This project, which is under the supervision of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ismail Ali who is an expert in Payao, also ensures that this tool works besides maintaining the natural aquatic surroundings.  A workshop on financial management was also conducted so as to strengthen the fishermen’s knowledge on business thus creating awareness on the importance of preserving our natural ecosystem.  At the same time, the Mabul Fishermen Association was formed to manage and ensure the Payao Innovation can be optimised in the long term. - FL

Source: Enactus UMS Team

FRIDAY, 21 JUNE – The Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) will be interviewed live on TV1 in the ‘Selamat Pagi 1Malaysia’ programme on 24 June.  The Vice-Chancellor who is also the Commandant of the Reserve Officers Volunteers Force (PALAPES) UMS will touch on the forthcoming Royal Commissioning Ceremony which will be held at this EcoCampus university on 06 July 2013.  The interview which is scheduled at 7.50 am at Wisma TV RTM Angkasapuri Kuala Lumpur will take about 15 minutes.  Also scheduled to be present is Major General Dato’ Mazelan Kasap. - FL

                                                                                                  Information and Media Section, Corporate Relations Division

FRIDAY, 21 JUNE – Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Enactus Team had recently organised a community programme under the auspices of the UNFOLD Project which aimed at helping the poor especially in the urban area.

Among the targeted communities were single mothers, the blind, orphans and the underprivileged around Sabah.  Enactus UMS had helped these groups to generate income besides easing their burden through producing handicraft products.

Handicraft workshops such as the making of bracelets using plastic bottles and key-chain making using aluminium tins were successfully done by Enactus UMS to the Bukit Harapan Welfare Home and the Tambunan Orphanage.

The UNFOLD Community Project Director, Aarston Friend Dickson said the projects done by the Enactus UMS team will help increase the sosio-economy of the participants both directly and indirectly.

“Generating creative ideas and the implementation of the UNFOLD project was an initiative by the Enactus UMS team to increase the livelihood of the underprivileged in Sabah,” he said in his speech at the official opening of the programme.

According to an inmate of the Bukit Harapan Welfare Home Oliver, the organising of this workshop by Enactus UMS managed to teach them ways to produce handicraft products by using recycle produce.

“This kind of programme is exciting and will uplift our spirit to improve our standard of living,” he urged.

Enactus UMS hoped that the knowledge and skills obtained would help the community to be independent and competitive in future and urged all locals to support the UNFOLD community project.  All contributions and support can be channelled to Bukit Harapan Welfare Home, Tambunan Orphanage and the Sabah Blind Society. – FL

Source: Enactus UMS Team (FMD)

                                                                                                  Information and Media Section, Corporate Relations Division