The Higher Education Leadership Academy (AKEPT) and Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) have recently signed a collaboration agreement for a project aimed at improving the University Leadership Directory (UniLead) system.

The UniLead system is a one-stop solution that will be used by AKEPT, the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), and all public higher education institutions (IPTA) to generate competency profile analyses of high-potential candidates, assisting in strategic decision-making processes for filling key positions in IPTAs.

The system also aims to help all users manage training development processes more efficiently, transparently, and effectively to empower the talent pool.

According to UMS Registrar, Luqman Ridha Anwar, the project is an important initiative that will significantly impact MOHE, AKEPT, and all public universities in efforts to strengthen talent within the higher education sector.

“The close relationship between AKEPT and UMS is not new; it has existed for a long time through various collaborations involving training and leadership programs.

“AKEPT and the Leadership and Talent Development Division (BKEPT) at the UMS Registrar’s Office have worked closely on various programs, particularly in fostering professional skills and development.

“This established bond and collaboration provide a strong foundation to continue joint initiatives in developing the UniLead system,” he said.

Luqman explained that the AKEPT-UMS partnership was reinforced through an attachment program that began in March 2023 and is set to continue until February 2024, with two UMS staff being placed at AKEPT on a rotating basis to develop the UniLead modules, followed by training modules.

“With AKEPT’s request to improve this system, our team at UMS is proud to play a key role in developing new modules like LeadDNA, which will serve as an innovative and strategic assessment tool for AKEPT.

“We hope that the close collaboration between UMS and AKEPT will continue, and UMS is committed to supporting AKEPT in future initiatives related to digital transformation in higher education leadership,” said Luqman.

The enhancements to the UniLead system aim to ensure the sustainability of competency-based human resource management accessible to AKEPT management and the Talent Management Units in all IPTAs.

This data will assist in planning leadership talent training within universities, allowing it to be regularly monitored and managed within a structured human resources ecosystem.

Also in attendance were AKEPT Director Prof. Dr. Harshita Aini Haroon; Deputy Director of AKEPT Talent Management Center, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Norazharuddin Shah Abdullah; UMS Chief Digital Officer, Prof. Dr. Ag. Asri Ag. Ibrahim; AKEPT Registrar, Hanis Huzaira Abd Hanan, and UMS Head of BKEPT, Kamisah Husin.

A comprehensive study on the seas surrounding Sabah is set to be the main focus of the newly established Centre for Blue Economy and Maritime Security Research (PPEBKM).

A brainchild of the Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), the initiative aligns closely with its expertise in blue economy and maritime studies, as well as the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) agenda.

UMS vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Kasim Mansor highlighted the centre’s role as a research and laboratory hub, aimed at advancing knowledge on various marine-related topics essential to Sabah’s development.

“The blue economy is a major agenda under SMJ, and with our university’s expertise in blue economy and maritime affairs, this centre’s establishment is timely.

“Extensive research here can lead to world-class journal publications,” he said at PPEBKM’s official launch at UMS’ Outdoor Development Centre Beach on Monday (Nov 4).

Kasim said that the rich marine resources of Sabah represent a major economic benefit for the region.

He also pointed out that Sabah’s unique location — bordered by the South China Sea, Sulu Sea, and Celebes Sea — comes with security challenges, including smuggling, kidnapping, and extortion.

The 'On-Site Learning' activity was carried out by second-year students from the Civil Engineering program, Faculty of Engineering (FKJ) Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), which took place at Kampung Padang Tengah, Petagas, recently.

FKJ lecturer Sr. Ts. Dr. Asmawan Mohd Sarman, who guided students step-by-step in making this program a success, stated that this program was to provide an exposure to students on pre-cast construction using DURA Technology.

According to Sr. Ts. Dr. Asmawan Mohd Sarman, the 'On-Site Learning' activity was carried out to provide early exposure to students about the actual builders on the construction site.

 “In addition, with this early exposure, students can learn about how the construction method they learned during classes are applied and practiced in the actual situation at the construction site”

“The other main objectives are to provide students with an overview of the actual contract management process for a construction project construction project being implemented,” he said in a statement.

Other than that, this program is in collaboration with Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR) Kota Kinabalu Sabah and Azam Lumut Sdn Bhd was attended by Sabah Minister of Public Works, Datuk Ir. Haji Shahelmey Yahya and the division engineer, Ts Zulkefli Salip Arjun who is also an alumni of UMS Civil Engineering.

Throughout the program, the participants were also accompanied by Ts. Dr. Elis Mardzianah Datuk Hj Mazlan and the engineer responsible on the construction site, James Thomas, who have clearly explained and gave a demonstration to students on how the process of building a bridge is carried out using DURA Technology.

Through this ‘On-Site Learning’ program, students were able to boost their enthusiasm for exploring new knowledge and applying what they have learned in an actual construction site. Moreover, this site visit gives students an invaluable opportunity to gain practical experience in the construction field.

Through hands-on demonstration and insights into real-world contract management, the students were able to enhance their understanding of construction practices.

The Skolar Next Level: Educators with Canva and ChatGPT (SNL) program, organized by Skolar Malaysia in collaboration with Center For e-Learning (PEP) Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and Sawit Kinabalu Group, aims to expose educators to the use of Generative AI technology and Canva in teaching and learning.

UMS PEP Director Prof. Dr. Fong Soon Fook stated that collaboration between public universities and schools is essential to equip students with awareness and readiness in utilizing the latest educational technologies.

“Skolar Next Level is an initiative implemented in several Malaysian states to spread awareness on the importance of digital skills in modern education.

"This is in line with the second core of digital education policy, Digital Competent Educators, to bridge the digital divide, and also aligns with the fourth Sustainable Development Goal, quality education, to empower educators,” he said in a statement during the program’s launch," he said.

According to Fong, through the SNL program, educators can practice using technology such as ChatGPT for preparing teaching materials, as well as Canva to create visual ideas that are more engaging and easily understood by students.

“This not only enhances teachers’ creativity as educators but also helps them deliver information more clearly and effectively,” Fong added.

He further expressed hope that the Skolar Next Level program would open new opportunities for educators in Sabah, particularly in accelerating technology learning.

“Through this program, educators can acquire relevant skills for the digital age, while also developing innovative and creative thinking to apply interactive teaching methods in the classroom.”

The SNL program gathered 200 participants, including lecturers, teachers, lifelong learners, and trainers from across Sabah.

The event featured Dr. Muhammad Tazli Azizan, co-founder of Skolar Malaysia, who served as the program's main trainer and is the second Canva Verified Expert, along with Brandon Liau, a native of Sabah and Malaysia's first Canva Verified Expert.