FRIDAY, 9 SEPTEMBER – Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Professor Datuk Dr. Mohd Harun Abdullah said the three-way cooperation is the best option at international level, to ensure sustainable development and ecosystem conservation management are integrated among developing countries.

He said, the move would be achieved through the Third Country Training Programme (TCTP) Sabah that is entering its third year this year.

“Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation (ITBC) as a training institution will coordinate TCTP activities with the state’s Natural Resources Office (NRO).

“The coordination of activities by NRO has the support of various agencies including Sabah Forestry Department, Sabah Wildlife Department, Sabah Parks (TTS) and the Sabah Biodiversity Centre (SaBC).

“This training programme will also be put under the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP) which is currently under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia,” he said at the launching of the Sabah TCTP 2016 themed “Integrated Training Course and Ecosystem Conservation Training”, yesterday.

Datuk Harun said, MTCP and the Japanese Government through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will jointly finance the training programme.

“TCTP participants this year comes from India, Uganda, Botswana, South Africa, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Cambodia, the Philippines and Thailand,” he said.

He hoped that the collaboration would continue to exist among the organisations involved, thus making Sabah a model of excellence for conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems nationally, regionally and worldwide. – (fl)

FRIDAY, 9 SEPTEMBER – Pusat Minda Lestari (PML) Daycare Programme in collaboration with Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Library recently organised a colouring competition in conjunction with the Merdeka month.

Held at the Children’s Collection Room, UMS Library, the competition among others aimed at instilling patriotism amongst PML Daycare children.

The competition was divided into three categories; 4, 5 and 6 years old.

For the 6 year old category, the first prize was won by Ahmad Nadzhan Adzraei Hasmadi, whilst Nurul Hannan Dammed and Mohd Fauzan Harith finished second and third, respectively.

For 5 year old category, Nurul Junainah Muhammad Naseef emerged champion, whilst the second and third spots were each won by Nurul Safiyyah Zahira Mayga and Aryan Hasif Lai Latif Lai.

Irsyad Ruzaini bin Rahmat was the winner in the 4 year old category, whilst the second and third placing were won by Amanda Allisha Mohd Hilmey and Aisyah Humaira Mustapha, respectively.

Such competitions were often organised at PML to provide opportunities for socio-emotional development of the children whilst further developing their cognitive and fine motor skills.

Source: Sustainable Minds Centre, UMS

THURSDAY, 08 SEPTEMBER – A total of 100 participants comprising locals and foreigners participated in the 7^th International Borneo Business Conference (IBBC) that started yesterday.

Held at Dewan Bankuasi (Banquet Hall), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), the conference was organised by the Faculty of Business, Economics and Accountancy (FPEP), UMS.

The ceremony was officiated by Dean of FPEP, Associate Professor Dr. Raman Noordin.

In his speech, he welcomed all participants and hoped that the conference would offer useful input and output through the sharing of knowledge and presentations.

He also expressed his gratitude to the three panellists who deliberated on the subject, “Business Opportunities in a Challenging Environment”.

They were the Chief Executive of Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (SEDIA); Chief Executive Officer of Institute of Development Studies (IDS) Sabah, Datuk Mohd Hasnol Mohd Datuk Ayub, and a Professor with FPEP, Professor Dr. Syed Azizi Wafa Syed Khaled Wafa.

The two-day conference ends today. – (fl)         

THURSDAY, 8 SEPTEMBER – 89 new students of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) 2016/2017 Session under the 40 percent lowest household income (B40) received welfare assistance in a function held at the Galeri , this morning.

The welfare assistance was presented by the Patron of Yayasan Nur Jauhar, Toh Puan Datuk Seri Panglima Norlidah Tan Sri Datuk RM Jasni.

Vice-Chancellor of UMS, Professor Datuk Dr. Mohd Harun Abdullah in his speech during the ceremony urged the students not to make poverty a stumbling block in pursuing their studies, instead they should take the opportunity of continuing their studies at UMS as a basis to improving their lives and that of their families.

“Let those challenges be an encouragement to succeed in life, do not easily give up when we are down in the dumps, with determination, we will surely come out tops.

“UMS will always try its best to help you achieve what you dream of.  Therefore, focus on your aim, be determined, and make your parents proud to see you coming out successful,” he said.

He also hoped that the contributions given would accommodate their daily expenses while waiting for the study loans or scholarship approval.

“Use the financial assistance wisely and spend prudently for your studies,” he reminded.

UMS through its “MENITI” programme, an abbreviation of “Transforming Ideas Into Reality”, offers 100 places each year since 2013 to students who live in the interior of Sabah and whose household family income is under the Poverty Line Income (Pendapatan Garis Kemiskinan) at RM1,170.00 in Sabah. - MA (fl)