The theme, ‘Nurturing Innovation Ecosystems for Sustainable Oceans & Societal Wellbeing’ will also include sub-themes which covers a wide range of topics including fish feed & nutrition, seafood security, climate change adaptations, marine conservation, and marine policy.

According to a statement issued by IPMB, the topic for ICOMSA 2016 is of global relevance and is particularly important for Malaysia where marine ecosystem services play a significant role in socio-economic development, aquaculture industry is growing at a fast rate and seafood consumption is high.

ICOMSA brings together international experts annually to share the advance scientific knowledge of the ocean ecosystem and identify the elements which can foster a culture of applying innovative solutions to problems associated with production of seafood resources, among others.

For further details, please visit their website by scanning the QR code below, or type http://www.ums.edu.my/ipmb2/icomsa/index.html or contact the conference secretariat at 088-320000 ext. 2589. - FL

Source: Flora Anne Asalin, IPMB

MONDAY, 21 MARCH – Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) distributed the 1Malaysia Book Voucher (BB1M) for the year 2016 last Sunday.

According to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Datuk Dr. Mohd Harun Abdullah, the book vouchers were expected to cover the purchase of materials to meet the learning needs of the students at the university.

“I hope all UMS students would take advantage of this benefit and always be prudent in their spending,” he said.

Also present were Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni) UMS, Associate Professor Dr. Ismail Ali and representatives from the Student Affairs Department and Bursar Department.

The distribution of vouchers were also carried out at the Labuan International Campus (UMS), officiated by the Campus Director, Associate Professor Dr. Murnizam Haji Halik.

BB1M is an initiative of the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) to ease the burden of purchasing books for academic purpose. - (fl)

Photo: UMSKAL

Tolok, 53, or his pen name Delly Surag, who is also the Secretary General of the Tuaran Artistes Association, has been active in writing for quite some time with many of his short stories and poems featured in local newspapers, and his scripts used by local film companies.

The win also saw this Kota Belud, Sabah lad sweeping the prize-money of RM3,000 and certificate of appreciation.

The prizes were presented by the Head of Corporate Communications Division UMS, Vina Zahriani Yusof, witnessed by the Chief Editor of Malay language New Sabah Times, Mohd Amin Muin and the Publication Officer of UMS, Che Hasruddin Che Hasan at the office of the New Sabah Times.

The second place went to Samiron Rahmat with his short story entitled “Sesuci Syafiqah Setabah Aqilah”, winning him the cash prize of RM2,000 and a certificate of appreciation.

For the third place, the evaluation panel has selected “Dia Bukan Bapa Aku” written by Farah Wahidah Roslan, whose short story earned her the cash prize of RM1,000 and a certificate of appreciation.

The consolation prizes were awarded to Abdul Rauf Mohd Salleh (Diari Wanita Jadian), Amina Ali (Kar Lis Kis), Syed Mahadzir Syed Ibrahim (Hujan Terus Jatuh), Kamal Ishak (Pensiangan), Norsuhaidah Koppeli (Perhitungan Terakhir), Badrul Hisham Mohamad (As-Syafie) and Nurhidayah Johari (Aku Ingin Terbang Tinggi, Mak!), where they each received cash prize of RM500 and a certificate of appreciation.

The UMS-NST Short Story Competition 2015 received a total of 140 works submitted by local writers from across the country, and 33 short stories of the number were featured weekly and evaluated. – MA (fl)

Photo: Johaidi Ismail

He said, social work was a focus-driven profession that included handling of problems, increasing social functions, and promoting a quality living standard for individuals, families, groups and communities.

”Social work is very important in providing knowledge-based professionals on this job, its values and principles, ethics of the profession and intervention.

“Therefore, the response or appreciation day such as this is necessary to appreciate the work and practices carried out by social workers throughout the world in general and in particular the social workers and social work students of UMS,” he said.

He said this in his speech at the opening of World Social Work Day 2016 state level held at the seminar room of the Faculty of Psychology and Education (FPP), recently.

His speech was read by the Deputy Dean, Academic and Student Affairs of FPP, Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Dahlan Ab. Malek.

Ismail Ali said, during the two-day programme, various activities were planned, which included the sharing of knowledge, blood donation drive, car boot sale, exhibition by non-governmental agencies and organisations as well as programmes with the orphans.

“This programme is a good mechanism to foster better relationship between social workers, lecturers, and students of social work at UMS,” he said.

The programme also had the support of a few government agencies and non-governmental organisations; among them were the Welfare Department, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Thalassaemia Society of Sabah, Sabah Society for the Deaf, Sabah Cheshire Home, Good Shepherd Services, Sabah Society for the Blind and Sabah Mental Health Association.

Present at the ceremony were the Deputy Dean, Student Affairs and Alumni of FPP, Associate Professor Dr. Suyansah Swanto; Head of Social Work Programme, Habibie Hj. Ibrahim; Coordinator of the World Social Work Day 2016, Durin Edward and the Director of the World Social Work Day 2016, Ismah Hanani Zambri. – MA (fl)