The 3rd Borneo Quality of Life Conference, themed "Quality of Life Across All Ages," will take place at Universiti Malaysia Sabah next week from May 23rd-26th, 2023.

The conference will also be held partially online, allowing participants from across the globe to join.

The conference will cover a wide range of topics related to quality of life, including issues such as hunger, food security, sustainable agriculture, noncommunicable diseases, poverty, education, decent work, and economic growth.

Discussions will also centre around sustainable living environments, promoting good health and well-being, human capital development, and decent work and economic growth.

There are a total of 65 unique presentations, covering areas as diverse as statelessness and education, rehabilitation and nutrition, ancient and current addictions, ritual responses of traditional societies to Covid-19, and an entire symposium focusing on the cycle of pregnancy and quality of life issues surrounding it.

Last call registrations for the conference are still open, with day pass options available for those who only wish to come for a day.

In conjunction with the conference, UMS has slated four very exciting pre-conference workshops.

Firstly, a parenting workshop that is helmed by three high quality parenting speakers: Alison Wong, principal of Jolly Learners, a renowned early childhood education provider in Kota Kinabalu; Jessica Rine, author of “My Feelings My Friends”; and Derek Chong, an ICA certified professional life and leadership coach.

This workshop will focus on engaging in sharing and discussion about parenting strategies that will take them through the different stage of child development.

Also, there will be an upcycling workshop helmed by Micheal Yap, founder of Seagrass Guardians and coordinator of Tanjung Aru Marine Ecosystem Centre, and Japson Wong, an upcycling artist and founder of JF Production.

This workshop includes glass crushing to make bricks, operating the plastic recycling machine, and making of coffee capsule bugs.

Closer to home – we have two psychologically flavoured workshops happening back-to-back at the UMS Library.

From 8am-12pm, there will be an Alcohol Prevention workshop featuring Associate Prof. Dr Nicholas Pang, a psychiatrist and vice president of the Association of the Prevention of Alcohol Misuse Malaysia, together with Dr David Tan, psychiatrist, and Ms Sharon Sharmini, Head of Department of Psychiatry, HUMS.

In the afternoon from 2-5pm there will be a special workshop on mindfulness by Prof Dr Helen Benedict Lasimbang, director of Hospital UMS, who will be delivering modules from her book on mindfulness – the first Malay language mindfulness book published.

Registration for the conference is still open, and we would like to encourage registrations as well for the preconference sessions mentioned.

Don't miss this chance to be part of a community that is committed to improving the quality of life for all ages in the region.

For more information about the conference and to sign up for preconference workshops and the conference proper, please visit the conference website at https://bqolc.ums.edu.my/ or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Sabah China Chamber of Commerce (SCCC) recently visited Faculty of Business, Economics and Accountancy (FBEA), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) for a discussion regarding potential collaboration between universities in Hubei Province, China and FBEA UMS.

The visit by SCCC was led by President, Datuk Frankie Liew, and joined by Vice President cum Women Entrepreneurs Chairlady, Tan Siew Ling; Director of Public Relations, Datuk Simon Teoh; Committee Members, Joanis Yee and Stella Chong; Women Entrepreneurs representative, Jenice Tan Wan Ling and Pamela Tseu.

Also joined the delegation were Chairman of Malaysia China Supplier Association (MCSA) and Chairman of Hubei Province – Sabah China Chamber of Commerce (SCCC), Zhou Fang Fang who are from Hubei Province, China.

Apart from the Chambers, Zhou is also the Executive Director of Skin Regenerative Cells HUKM National Hospital Malaysia, and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Clara International Group Cooperation.

The visit was welcomed by Dr. Noor Fzlinda Fabeil representing the faculty Dean, Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Rahimie Abd. Karim.

Discussions held including potential mobility and exchange activities of students and academics between the FBEA UMS and universities in Hubei Province, China.

FBEA academics who also joined the session including Associate Professor Dr. Janice Nga Lay Hui; FBEA Coordinator for International Mobility, Datu Razali Datuk Datu Hj. Eranza; Dr. Siti Nor Bayaah Ahmad, Dr. Jaratin Lily, Dr. Christina Wong Sing Yun, and Assistant Registrar, Nurazean Sheir.

After discussions, the Chamber was invited to enjoy the Raya open house organized by fellow academics of FBEA.

Visits continued to UMS Global Office, and brief tour around the campus. Delegates enjoyed the brief chat with Global Office and enjoyed the beautiful landscape of UMS and fascinated by the development of various faculties and sustainable facilities in UMS.

Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) made history by winning the most number of gold awards at the International Invention, Innovation and Technology Exhibition (ITEX) 2023.

UMS entered the competition with 20 ground-breaking innovations, which earned them 13 gold prizes, six silver awards, and four special awards.

According to UMS, these achievements were resulted from the dedication and trainings inspired by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Datuk Dr. Kasim Hj. Mansor and the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Prof. Ir. Dr. Rosalam Hj. Sarbatly.

“In addition to the impressive medal count, UMS also won several special awards. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jidon @ Adrian Janaun won the Malaysia Innovative Product Award (MIPA) in the Equipment, Electronics, Machinery category for his innovation, the Residual Oil Extractor (ROE).

“He also won the Best Invention Award (Top 3 Grand Winner) for the same product.

“Other special award winner from UMS include Dr. Norhayati Ayob, who won the Best Invention Award in the Household Product category for her innovation, the Lapohan Artistry,” said UMS in a statement here today.

With such a remarkable achievement, UMS has once again proven its commitment to innovation and research.

“Congratulations to all the winners and UMS for their outstanding performance at ITEX 2023.

“UMS, through the Innovation and Commercialisation Management Centre (ICMC), will continue the efforts to translate the awards to commercialisation,” the statement added.

For the records, ITEX is an annual exhibition that brings together inventors, innovators, and technology entrepreneurs from around the world to showcase their products and services.

It is one of the largest exhibitions of its kind in Southeast Asia that was held on 11 - 12 May 2023 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC).

Universiti Malaysia Sabah has signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Changgih Designs, a Sabah-based social enterprise. 

The Dean of the Faculty of Business, Economics and Accountancy (FBEA), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd. Rahimie Abd. Karim signed on behalf of UMS, and Director; Allen Dawson signed on behalf of Changgih Designs.  

The signing ceremony was witnessed by the co-founder of Changgih Designs, Bethany Dawson, Director of Borneo Tourism Research Centre (BTRC) UMS, Dr. Balvinder K. Kler, and Director, Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation UMS, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fiffy Hasnidah Saikim.

Dr. Mohd. Rahimie was pleased to note that various collaborations between the two parties have continued since June last year, including training sessions for the artisans.  

He said such collaborations fit well into the newly coined UMS slogan, “Leading Towards Innovative Societies.”  

“UMS was pleased to be associated with a social enterprise that advances women to support their families and develop them as leaders in their community. 

“As the anchor university in Sabah, UMS aims not only to produce graduates but has a responsibility to provide guidance and innovative solutions which uplift local communities.  

“FBEA was one of the early faculties established from the onset in 1995 and offers a range of programs including accountancy, entrepreneurship, economic planning and development, finance and banking, monetary economics, hospitality management, international business, marketing, labour economics, and tourism management.

“Academic staff not only teach but also conduct research which aims to contribute to wider goals for nation building,” he said while delivering his speech at the event.   

Meanwhile, Dr. Balvinder, in her welcome remarks, shared the story of how she discovered Changgih Designs in June 2020 during the lockdowns in her search for apparel that could uplift the senses. 

“I came across their website selling bright, colorful, reusable face masks, overthrows, and infinity scarves with Sabah-based motifs – and purchased a few items online, including a bright orange overthrow. 

“In April 2022, I met Bethany for the first time and was fascinated by the story of this social enterprise which supports women artisans who sew and one of the key activities of tourists on holiday – shopping for souvenirs,” she said.

Having grown up in a house with a Singer sewing machine and a mother who sewed, Balvinder was moved to offer assistance.  

“In line with BTRC’s vision to ensure destination communities benefit from tourism knowledge, plans were put into motion culminating with today’s signing ceremony. 

“A 3-minute video montage documenting the various activities also play during this ceremony,” she added.

Changgih Director, Allen, thanked UMS and said he looked forward to this collaboration. 

Bethany shared that their team and the growing success of Changgih could not have been possible without the loyal support of their staff and artisans, who are like family. 

She also thanked BTRC for their support which provided much-needed motivation to carry on post-pandemic. The Dawsons are an American couple based in Sabah.

Through this LoI, the multidisciplinary team of lecturers at the faculty will collaborate to provide business knowledge transfer and advice on social entrepreneurship, as well as engagement through seminars and training for the artisans. UMS students will have the opportunity for internships.  

For the records, Changgih Designs was co-founded by Bethany and a friend in 2015.  It has grown into a reputable social enterprise in Sabah with over 30 artisans and five full-time staff. 

Their culturally inspired collections of handbags, wallets, accessories, scarves, and clothing are made by local artisans. 

Besides the local market, Changgih Designs targets its products as souvenirs for tourists visiting Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. 

Also present during the LoI signing ceremony were the management officers of FBEA and several members of the Changgih Design team.