Universiti Malaysia Sabah Hospital established a Child and Adolescent Mental and Physical Health (Champ) Centre.

UMS Vice Chancellor Professor Datuk Dr. Kasim Hj. Mansor said the centre provides services to children and adolescents with special needs in Sabah who have neurodevelopmental and behavioural issues.

“The characteristics of children and adolescents with special needs include autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), speech delays, learning difficulties and behavioural issues,” he said during the launching of the centre on Monday.

Kasim said with smart partnership and collaboration, the centre could become agent of change by building bridges of understanding, breaking stigma, and spreading awareness about children and adolescents with special needs by providing more specialised intervention and rehabilitation services systematically.

“Therefore, we should express our respect and highest appreciation to the pioneers, whether they have played a role in pioneering, establishing, building and filling the sustaining as well as those who are still struggling to create an inclusive society.

“Inclusivity is not just about acknowledging existence but also about providing equal support, opportunities, and gratitude for every individual, including those with special needs.

“In pursuing a more inclusive society, education plays a crucial role. It is important for us to create an environment where individuals with special needs can thrive, learn, and contribute meaningfully.”

“By fostering understanding and providing appropriate support, we can unlock the great potential that exists within each of these special needs groups.

“Therefore, let us help every child and youth with special needs to reach their maximum potential. Together, we are a force that can shape a world that is more empathetic and more understanding,” he said.

Meanwhile, hospital Director Professor Dr Helen Benedict Lasimbang said Champ aimed to provide a high-quality Play Therapy services.

“Play therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses games to communicate with children.

“Unfortunately, Sabah does not yet have a therapist who is certified in Play Therapy as a Certified Play Therapist. 

The centre hopes to meet the challenge through certification sponsoring to improve the expertise of therapists and offer high-quality Play Therapy services.

“Thus, to reach the expert level and ensure the implementation of interventions according to the set standards, continuous training is required under supervision to ensure sufficient exposure to therapists,” she said.

Champ is one of the niche areas established by Hums and the centre also collaborated with the Department of Psychiatry and Psychological Health, the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, and the Department of Paediatrics under the hospital.

From January to September of this year, the centre received visits from a total of 1,007 patients.

Pupils in Semporna district received a hands-on learning experience on turtle conservation during a programme organised by Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), recently.

The programme saw a total of 20 primary and secondary school students heading to the Bohey Dulang Island of Semporna, where they were given talks on turtle conservation and witnessed the release of hatchlings, among other educational activities.

UMS vice chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Kasim Mansor led his team of lecturers accompanied by Sabah Parks staff to the island, along with the students from SK Bangau-Bangau, SK Kg. Simunul, SMK Kabogan II, and SMK Datuk Panglima Abdullah.

“During the programme, the students heard information about turtle conservation and other marine species, especially those threatened by extinction.They also saw how hatchlings were released back into the ocean,” he said.

Looking at the beauty of Bohey Dulang, Kasim said the island has vast potential not only for tourism purposes but also for education, research and filming.

“For UMS, we are always keen to be part of any conservation and educational programmes,” he said.

Towards the end, he urged the students to make conservation of the environment a part of their lives and daily practices.

Kasim also encouraged them to develop interest in science related subjects so that they could in future become the protectors of flora and fauna.

He also launched the Edu-Tourism and Turtle Conservation Project organised by UMS and Sabah Parks during the event.

Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) is set to make a global impact at the upcoming International Trade Fairs, Ideas, Inventions, and New Products 2023 in Nuremberg, Germany, from October 28th to 31st.

Guided by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Professor Ir. Dr. Rosalam Hj. Sarbatly, this delegation of six brilliant minds is poised to captivate attendees and industry experts with a diverse range of innovative solutions, covering sustainable energy, agriculture, education, and beyond.

Leading the charge is Integrated Solar Dryer (INSOLER), an innovative system by Associate Professor Dr. Jidon Janaun, designed to promote sustainable agriculture by enhancing the drying of agricultural produce and reducing food wastage.

Another standout innovation is the Residual Oil Extractor (ROE), championing eco-friendly waste oil recovery and waste reduction. Dr. Jidon Janaun is at the helm of this remarkable project.

Dr. Rovina Kobun leads the development of two ground-breaking innovations: Agrowaste Biosorbent, offering sustainable agricultural waste management and serving as an effective biosorbent, thus contributing significantly to environmental protection, and Oi-Life, an ingenious invention with applications in the healthcare sector, focusing on improving the quality and shelf-life of fruits and vegetables.

Serunding Kubis, a culinary innovation crafted by Associate Professor Dr. Jurry Foo, offers a delightful twist on traditional Sabahan cuisine.

Dr. Jurry Foo also brings forth the TagaLit: Tagal Literacy Model, a pioneering educational approach aimed at nurturing literacy and fostering community engagement within Sabahan's Tagal indigenous communities.

Dr. Jinky Jane C Simeon's Sompoton Video Assisted Learning (VAL) Kit promises to transform musical experiences with an immersive video-based learning approach.

She also introduces Jom Gamifykids, a pioneering gaming solution with the potential to revolutionize how children learn and interact with technology.

Dr. Affendy Hassan's Smallfarm Fertiliser Spreader (SFS) is set to boost the efficiency of small-scale farmers by optimizing the distribution of fertilizers.

SFS addresses labour shortages, particularly in rubber, oil palm, and other crops, while simultaneously reducing costs and enhancing the effectiveness of fertilizer application in small-scale farming.

While Dr. Esther Jawing's UMS Transformation Modules for Young Inmates offer a fresh approach to inmates’ rehabilitation and skill development, promising transformative opportunities within the correctional system.

UMS's enthusiastic engagement in this esteemed international event not only emphasizes its commitment to nurturing innovation but also spotlights Sabah's emerging prominence as a hub for pioneering solutions.

These extraordinary inventions harbour the potential to wield a substantial influence across a spectrum of sectors, spanning agriculture, education, healthcare, and sustainability.

The UMS delegation, ready to join a diverse global community of inventors, entrepreneurs, and visionaries at the International Trade Fairs, Ideas, Inventions, and New Products 2023, seizes a unique opportunity to showcase their innovations, cultivate international collaborations, and gather invaluable insights into the global market.

More than 150 professionals, experts and thought leaders from around the world gathered at Sabah International Convention Centre, here today for the region’s first symposium on the social and behaviour change communication (SBCC).

The first Asia Pacific SBCC Regional Symposium 2023 is co-organised by UNICEF Malaysia and the country’s three leading universities - Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and Universiti Putra Malaysia.

“This Symposium gathers SBCC practitioners to share best practices, explore opportunities, and develop sustainable solutions together with communities. We look forward to deepen our partnership to achieve better results for every child in the region,” said Robert Gass, UNICEF Representative to Malaysia and Special Representative Brunei Darussalam.

“The solution to many problems children face today have roots in social norms and behaviours. Guided by the mantra ‘Nothing about us, without us’, social and behaviour change strategies have the potential to empower individuals to make choices that protect their rights, develop communities, and promote resilience”, added Robert.

Themed “SBCC in Southeast Asia and South Pacific: Unlocking its Potential for Community Development and Resilience”, the inaugural event was officiated by Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Abidin Madingkir, on behalf of the Chief Minister of Sabah, Datuk Seri Hajiji Hj Noor.  The symposium will end tomorrow.

Throughout the two days, the jam-packed symposium features 17 programmes which include a keynote address, plenary sessions, oral presentations, experiential zones, forums, a sandbox, parallel roundtable sessions and a closing reflection, and 35 esteemed speakers from 7 countries in the region, namely Malaysia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and New Zealand.

Among them are Axiata Foundation Chief Executive Officer Mohamad Kamal Nawawi, Institute for Development Studies Sabah Chief Executive Officer Associate Professor Datuk Ts. Dr. Ramzah Dambul and the award-winning TV Journalist and Astro Awani former Editor-in-Chief Kamarul Bahrin Haron.

These distinguished speakers are the panellists for the Plenary Session titled Diverse Voices, Shared Visions: Collaborative Strategies for SBCC, scheduled on the first day of the symposium.

The Asia Pacific SBCC Regional Symposium 2023 aims to unlock the potential for SBCC investment opportunities in the region, and to strengthen the SBCC network with various stakeholders, strategic partners, and key players in the region for sustainable development.

Meanwhile, UPM-UNICEF C4D Programme Director Dr Tham Jen Sern said, the distinctiveness of the three institutions behind the SBCC initiative mirrors their diverse objectives, united by a common purpose that is to contribute to Malaysia's social development and well-being.

“Together, we hope to bring rays of hope and opportunities across a broad spectrum of society,” Dr Tham said.

Throughout the two days, the jam-packed symposium features 17 programmes which include a keynote address, plenary sessions, oral presentations, experiential zones, forums, a sandbox, parallel roundtable sessions and a closing reflection, and 35 esteemed speakers from 7 countries in the region, namely Malaysia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and New Zealand.

Among them are Axiata Foundation Chief Executive Officer Mohamad Kamal Nawawi, Institute for Development Studies Sabah Chief Executive Officer Associate Professor Datuk Ts. Dr. Ramzah Dambul and the award-winning TV Journalist and Astro Awani former Editor-in-Chief Kamarul Bahrin Haron.

These distinguished speakers are the panellists for the Plenary Session titled Diverse Voices, Shared Visions: Collaborative Strategies for SBCC, scheduled on the first day of the symposium.

The Asia Pacific SBCC Regional Symposium 2023 aims to unlock the potential for SBCC investment opportunities in the region, and to strengthen the SBCC network with various stakeholders, strategic partners, and key players in the region for sustainable development.

Meanwhile, UPM-UNICEF C4D Programme Director Dr Tham Jen Sern said, the distinctiveness of the three institutions behind the SBCC initiative mirrors their diverse objectives, united by a common purpose that is to contribute to Malaysia's social development and well-being.

“Together, we hope to bring rays of hope and opportunities across a broad spectrum of society,” Dr Tham said.