MONDAY, 9 MAY – The Association of Business, Economics and Accounting Students (PMPEP) recently organised a study tour to Hong Kong.

Themed ‘Discover Fragrant Harbour Educational Tour Programme’, the study tour involved 13 students from the Faculty of Business, Economics and Accounting (FPEP) accompanied by the Deputy Dean of Student Affairs and Postgraduate FPEP, Dr. Arif @ Kamisan Pusiran and two administrative staff of FPEP.

Among the programmes carried out during the five-day visit was a meeting and discussion with the Association of Students of the University of Hong Kong (HKU), and a visit to Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

The opportunity to step on Hong Kong soil, also known as the Pearl of the Orient was fully utilised by the students to gain new experience with a visit to the Science Museum and the Golden Bauhinia Square, an historic place that became the venue for the resubmission of Hong Kong from the British administration to China in 1997.

The PMPEP also visited Ocean Park, one of the major tourist attractions in Hong Kong and the nearby market square that sold a variety of interesting souvenirs.

Speaking about the visit, FPEP Dean, Professor Dr. Rasid Mail believed that the experience of being outside of the country helped  make the students be mature in their thinking about global progress that was happening rapidly around the world.

“This study tour could also build a foundation to create a network between local universities, in particular UMS with international universities for student mobility programmes at international level in the future,” he added. – SS (fl)
 
Source: FPEP

MONDAY, 9 MAY – The Academic and Leadership Student Welfare Committee (JAKMAS) Residential College Tun Mustapha (KKTM) Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) recently organised a Speech Contest Residential College Tun Mustapha Cup 2016.

According to the Programme Director, Jennyfer Priscillasheal Jonius, the speech contest was held with the aim to scout for talents in speaking and communicating ideas among students.

“The competition also aims to trains and educate students to think critically and creatively, and be outstanding,” he said.

Meanwhile, KKTM Principal, Dr Mohamad Nizam Nazarudin at the closing of the contest said that the programme was recommended because it could promote the idea and practice of self-confidence amongst students to voice their views.

“This competition could also improve communication skills among students thereby increase their knowledge in public speaking such as speech contest,” he said.

A total of 12 orators of public and private universities around Kota Kinabalu participated in the competition held at the Residential College Tun Mustapha UMS. – (fl)

Source: KKTM

FRIDAY, 6 MAY – The Faculty of Psychology and Education (FPP) Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) recently held a Science and Technology Education Community Programme involving 48 students of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Kota Marudu and SMK Langkon.

According to the programme supervisor, Dr. Siew Nyet Moi @ Sopiah Abdullah, the programme was conducted by students from the Master’s in Education Postgraduate Programme to provide support to students in the rural areas by joining activities in designing as a way to solve problems creatively and in an innovative manner using the STEM concept.

“The postgraduate students act as coordinators, facilitators and assessors, whilst PhD and undergraduate students assisted as facilitator and evaluator to 10 groups for two STEM activities,” she said.

Two activities were conducted during the programme involving problem-solving and existing knowledge to test the creativity of participants.

“The first STEM activity centred around the Sungai Bandau, Kota Marudu bridge, which was dilapidated.  Students worked in groups and identify everyday life problems caused by the situation and submit new invention to overcome these problems.

‘Meanwhile, the second STEM activity centres around the El Nino phenomenon that is currently experienced by the country.  Through these activities, students apply their existing knowledge and past experiences to create a prototype with green technology concept to reduce the impact of El Nino towards the environment and on ourselves,” added Dr. Siew.

She said, as a whole, the programme achieved its objective when students themselves said the programme encouraged them to think out of the box to produce appropriate ideas to solve any problems raised.

Also present were representatives from SMK Kota Marudu, Yusniza Azali and SMK Langkon, Pang Poon King. – (fl)

Source: FPP

Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Professor Datuk Dr. Mohd Harun Abdullah said in the administration of the university for example, the officers would continue to find the best work process so as to avoid bureaucracy.

“For that, the Steering Committee on Quality and Innovation under the Registrar Department can give their support thus instilling the culture of innovation in every staff of the university,” he said in his speech at the University Excellence Awards 2015 held at the Main Lecture Halls 2, this morning.

He further added that to ensure UMS remain competitive and stay relevant, initiatives to improve the university’s image in the international arena should be done by aiming for worldwide recognition.

In the aspect of sustainability, today’s sophisticated world requires its community to think how environmental sustainability could be preserved for future generation.

“Therefore, we must take this opportunity to put UMS in the world map with the EcoCampus concept introduced three years ago.

“I hope the three keywords described above could change minds and attitudes to become excellent.

“Innovative, Relevant and Sustainable, besides UMS motto ‘Strive to Excel’ should be the mainstay as the foundation of UMS’ excellence,” he added. – MA (fl)

Photo: Johaidi Ismail