THURSDAY, 10 MARCH – Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Sarawak/Sabah Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Heritage Society (PWSSKLS) that took place at the office of the Vice-Chancellor, today.

UMS was represented by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Datuk Dr. Mohd. Harun Abdullah, and PWSSKLS was represented by its Advisor, Dr. John Laurence William.

Datuk Harun said, he was grateful to PWSSKLS for the signing of the MoA, which would involve an integrated education at postgraduate level.

“We have seven courses offered under Master’s of Education namely TESL, Education Management, Computer in Education, Curriculum and Instructional Design, Science, Physical and Health Education and Counseling Psychology,” he said adding that these postgrad students would be attending their classes during the school holidays.

Meanwhile, Dr. John Laurence informed that the students comprising school teachers were also ready to continue their studies at graduate level.

“We will ensure that the students (teachers) who are attending this programme give their full commitment to complete their studies in accordance with the stipulated time frame.  Many more will be joining the programme,” he said.

According to him, the first cohort of student intake was 100 and would begin their studies at the end of April.

At the ceremony, Dr. John Laurence also handed over an education sponsorship to Datuk Harun amounting to RM100,000 and also announced that a contribution of RM5,000 to the Faculty of Psychology and Education (FPP) to sponsor a dance troupe that would be competing at the Borneo Hornbill Festival managed by PWSSKLS.

Also present at the ceremony were the Chairman of PWSSKLS, Munica Liwan; UMS Registrar, No’man Datuk Hj. Ahmad and Dean of FPP, Professor Dr. Ismail Ibrahim. – CD- (fl)

Photo: Suzeanywaty Gasinin

THURSDAY, 10 MARCH – A series of low magnitude earthquakes that hit Darvel Bay near Lahad Datu town, Sabah occurred on 16 February, 1 March and 4 March 2016 were seen as a natural phenomenon of the release of the earth’s internal energy.

The incident that happened suddenly had become viral on social media with the forecast that there would be a bigger earthquake in the district, perhaps maybe comparable to or stronger than the earthquakes that occurred on 5 June 2015 at Mount Kinabalu.

With a string of information that had gone viral, it created anxieties among the locals living in Lahad Datu and its nearby districts.

According to the Head of the Disaster Research Centre (PKBA), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Professor Dr. Kawi Bidin; from a scientific research view, all earthquake records and facts, technology and experts could not accurately predict the occurrence of an earthquake, its magnitude nor its location and time.

“This happens due to movements under the earth that can lead to the occurrence of an earthquake.  It is a process that is quite complex and difficult to understand,” he told reporters.

“So far, the early signs of an earthquake is yet to be detected.  Scientists can only make assumptions to the occurrence of an earthquake based on the history of earthquakes that had occurred in that region,” he further added.

He therefore advised the public not to panic and make further speculations that a significant earthquake would hit Lahad Datu and its surrounding areas.

“What needs to be done is for all parties concerned to be especially vigilant and to get the right information from the relevant government agencies that are involved in monitoring the earthquake situation throughout the state,” he advised.

“Hence, PKBA together with other government agencies are willing to share their expert advise through education and awareness seminars on the dangers of the earthquakes in Sabah, as the first step,” he concluded. CD (fl)

The programme was a first of its kind ever organised to encourage residents of UMS residential colleges to cycle in groups whilst outside the campus.

The ride started at 6.30 am from UMS Mosque up to Tanjung Lipat and was participated by 16 participants, led by the Head of Tun Mustapha Residential College, Dr. Mohamad Nizam Nazarudin and several marshals on motorcycles and cars to control the safety of participants.

The participants comprised representatives from Tun Mustapha College, Tun Fuad College and E College, involved in the group bicycle ride with the public in conjunction with the Sunday Family Ride programme organised by the Sabah government and Kota Kinabalu City Hall, at the Public Park Tanjung Lipat.

Besides cycling, the programme aimed to encourage students to enhance their two-way communication skills with the public.

According to a participant, Muhammad Fadhli Ahadin, he felt happy on being able to join the programme, which was seen to be a relaxing and enjoyable activity.

As for Darshene Subramaniam, she stated that the programme gave her a new experience and felt the bond with the rest of the participants.

Dr. Mohamad Nizam, who is also a lecturer at the Faculty of Psychology and Education also hoped that more people would participate in the cycling activity in future.

“It is important for students to be involved in recreational activities and cycling is one of those activities.

“Apart from attending lectures and completing their assignments given by lecturers, students should also make cycling a daily routine going to their lectures, as recommended by the Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Student Affairs UMS,” he added.

Source: Siti Khadijah Mohd Rashid, KKTM

WEDNESDAY, 9 MARCH – Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) further strengthened its cooperation with government agencies through a collaboration with the Home Affairs Ministry (KDN) Malaysia.

Through a Memorandum of Understanding (Mou) signed between the two parties at the opening of the Public Safety and Security Seminar (SEKAM) at Dewan Canselor recently through UMS’ Centre for Strategic and Security Research (SASSREC) and KDN through the Institute of Public Safety Malaysia (IPSOM) would collaborate  and share their knowledge and research expertise in the aspects of crime, safety and public welfare in Sabah.

The MoU was signed by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Datuk Dr. Mohd. Harun Abdullah representing UMS, whilst KDN was represented by its Secretary General, Dato’ Seri Alwi Ibrahim.

Also witnessing the signing of this collaboration between UMS-KDN were the Deputy Prime Minister cum Home Affairs Minister, Datuk Seri Panglima Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi; Chief Minister of Sabah, Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman; Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Dato’ Sri Noor Rashid Ibrahim; Deputy Minister II of Home Affairs, Tuan Masir Anak Kujat and other senior officials from KDN and the security forces.

Under the MoU, both signing partners agreed to develop a research mechanism to review and analyse data pertaining to the safety and welfare of the public, carry out the collection and analysis of data scientifically, collaborate to develop a research centre in the field of public safety and welfare, and to channel research results to the policymakers and the criminal justice system.

Datuk Ahmad Zahid also received his appointment as an Adjunct Professor at SASSREC, UMS, at the same ceremony. – MA (fl)
Photo: Ernest Berinus