TUESDAY, 26 APRIL – Various areas of cooperation will continue to be strengthened between Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste.

UMS Vice-Chancellor, Professor Datuk Dr. Mohd Harun Abdullah said among those identified included teaching and learning, research and innovation, marine science, eco-tourism, rural health and medical care, and language proficiency.

Earlier, he said the cooperation in oil and gas industry with Timor-Leste in 2014 was now bearing fruit particularly in the areas of training and capacity building in the field of oil and gas.

The first group comprising 15 students from Timor-Leste were sent to undergo the Diploma in Process Engineering (Oil and Gas Operations), whilst the rest studied Diploma in Instrumentation Engineering (Oil and Gas).

“These two programmes have been specifically designed by experts from the Faculty of Engineering (FKJ) to meet the specific needs of Timor-Leste,” he said in his welcome speech at the Public Lecture of the Vice Minister of Education II Timor-Leste, Abel da Costa Freitas Ximenes at the Banquet Hall, Chancellor Hall yesterday.

His speech was read by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni), Associate Professor Dr. Ismail Ali.

Datuk Harun said such cooperation would continue and UMS was expecting the second batch of students from Timor-Leste totaling 20 to undertake the diploma programmes.

Meanwhile, Abel presented a public lecture entitled “History, Challenges and Vision of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste’s government as a Nation”, which coincided with his official working visit bringing with him 12 officials from the Ministry of Education Timor-Leste. – SS (fl)

MONDAY, 25 APRIL – Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) campus community today joined in the ‘Let’s Read Together for 10 Minutes’ simultaneously  at UMS Library and mini libraries of faculties including at the Sustainable Minds Centre (PML) UMS and UMS Labuan International Campus.

The programme which began at 11.00 this morning was participated by senior staff of UMS and its students, including 26 children from PML.

Earlier, the Chief Librarian of UMS, Dg Rukiah Ag Amit in her speech at the launching of the event said, the programme aimed at encouraging the campus community to practice the habit of reading, beginning with the first step of reading for 10 minutes as a commitment by all parties on the importance of reading.

“Besides that, this 10 minutes of reading is to instill in us the need to take some time to gain knowledge through reading as a daily practice.

“There is no short cut to success in any field, but by inculcating the reading habit and courage to explore various challenges in the world full of ups and downs before we could taste the fruit of our labour,” she said.

The programme was launched by the Director of Curriculum and Student Development Centre (PKPP) UMS, Associate Professor Dr. Raman Noordin, who represented the Vice-Chancellor of UMS. -MA- (fl)
Photo: Ramdan Saleh Nain

MONDAY, 25 APRIL – The Student welfare Committee (JAKMAS) of Tun Mustapha Residential College through the Academic and Leadership Exco recently held a Debate Camp 3.0 programme at the Multipurpose Hall and Karisma Mini Room Tun Mustapha Residential College, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS).

A total of 40 students were involved comprising students from secondary schools in Kota Kinabalu and schools from Lahad Datu area namely Sekolah Menengah (SM) Sains Sabah, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Agama Kota Kinabalu, SMK Agama Tun Ahmadshah, SMK Agama Tun Said Kota Belud, Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM) Kota Kinabalu and SM Sains Lahad Datu.

The three- day two-night programme among others was organised as a platform for debaters to polish their skills in public speaking especially in debating for their future use in competitions.

Among the activities conducted were talks, team strategy, the role of a debater, video screenings, and counseling with their respective facilitators.

Also held was a Debate among groups, as a method of assessing their ability in using the skills learned.

According to JAKMAS Exco, Harun Pasi, the programme was the best medium for school debaters to gain knowledge and to strengthen their own debating teams, and was made an annual programme to produce credible debaters.

Meanwhile, Tun Mustapha college principal, Dr. Mohamad Nizam Nazarudin said, such programme would be continued in future as it provide tremendous benefits to students as well as to UMS students.

“Through this programme, students are able to polish their skills in public speaking and oratory that would help improve their leadership skills while in school,” he said.

At the Finals of the Debate League , “Mat Motor” was crowned as the champion, and Mohd Fareez H. Askali from SM Sains Sabah was chosen as the Best Debater. – (fl)

Source: Student Affairs Department

FRIDAY, 22 APRIL – Sports can be a platform to foster self-confidence and unity amongst international community.

According to Youth and Sports Minister, Datuk Tawfiq Abu Bakar Titingan, sports icon in each country especially Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam should be emulated on their successes through inner strength and will, as a result of their involvement in sports.

“Sports is a culture shared by the worldwide communities crossing all borders and regions.

“Therefore, it is imperative that we try to elevate sports to international level and produce sports champions such as Lee Chong Wei who has high self-confidence and highly motivated, able to inspire the spirit of unity through his success,” he said when launching the Borneo Universities Friendship Games 2016 at Universiti Malaysia Sabah Stadium.

He added that through sporting games, those who came from different background converged and interact amongst athletes in the participating contingents, thus opening up opportunities for them to understand each other's culture and lifestyle.

“We recommend that all athletes be united to become champions regardless of color, creed or religion,” he urged.

A total of 15 contingents of higher learning institutions of Malaysia, Kalimantan Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam participated in the championship that featured 13 events. – (fl)

 
Photo: Johaidi Ismail