By Salbinous Saribun

WEDNESDAY, 06 JANUARY – Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Vice-Chancellor, Professor Datuk Dr. Mohd. Harun Abdullah today welcomed the delegation headed by the Commissioner of Police Sabah, Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun at his office located at theChancellery Building.

The visit amongst others were to discuss smart partnership and cooperation that could be strengthened between UMS and the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM).

Datuk Abdul Rashid also asked for permission to have a spot in UMS to be used as the PDRM Operations Centre in conjunction with an international event to be held this year.

Datuk Harun welcomed the proposal and made several recommendations for the intended spot.

Also present at the discussion were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research and Innovation, Professor Dr. Shahril Yusof and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Student Affairs and Alumni, Association Professor Dr. Ismail Ali. – (fl)

WEDNESDAY, 6 JANUARY – A total of 6 members of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Postgraduate Student Association (PSA) and two postgraduate students including two escorts visited the Sri Harapan Home for the Elderly in Sandakan, recently.

The Love for the Elderly Programme was organised to train participants on communication skills, to empathise, be compassionate and concern for the elderly.

According to the director of the programme, Laisreyn Laisok, the programme hoped to attract more postgraduate students to participate in community activities in future besides attracting the surrounding public to reach out to those who needed care and support.

The programme organised by PSA in collaboration with UMS Centre for Postgraduate Studies (PPPS) among others acted as a platform for students to provide emotional and psychological assistance to the residents through activities that were enriching.

During the programme, UMS also held birthday celebration, get-together session and distribution of donations to all 45 residents of the home. – (fl)

Source: Norcikeyonn Samuni (PSA)

By Salbinous Saribun

TUESDAY, 05 JANUARY – Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Marine Aquarium and Museum recorded 39,029 visitors in 2015.

According to the museum curator, Flora Anne Asalin, the number reflected an increase of 4,625 visitors compared to 34,404 visitors last year.

“Of the number, 33,171 were Malaysians, 5,232 international visitors and the rest were official guests of the university, people with disabilities (OKU) and UMS staff and students itself,” she said when contacted by UMS media.

She added, the increase in visitors showed that UMS Marine Aquarium and Museum continued to be the choice tourism destination when visiting Kota Kinabalu.

“The museum also generated income of RM177,772.49 compared to RM149,416.00 the previous year through collection of entrance fees charged to every visitor,” she added.

The museum operated by the Borneo Marine Research Institute (IPMB) is open to the public every day except Sundays and Public Holidays, from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm. – (fl)

TUESDAY, 05 JANUARY – Efforts to expose Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) student leaders to foreign culture should be intensified to instil creative as well as critical thinking and with foresight thus responding the call to internationalise university students.

Recognising this, UMS recently sent 18 Student Representatives Council (MPP) of the 2014/2015 Academic Session to Beijing, China for a High Performance Leadership Tour.

The group leader, Mohd. Al-Farid Abraham said, the tour was also a platform for sharing of knowledge between Malaysia and China covering many areas and aspects of student leadership.

“We were also exposed to the academic system and patterns of student leadership in Beijing besides learning the Eco-Tourism system in that country that could be applied by UMS to streamline the EcoCampus concept,” he said.

Al-Farid, who was also the MPP President for the 2014/2015 Session also accorded his gratitude to UMS and described the visit as very timely and beneficial.

The seven-day tour included a visit to Beihang University and Beijing University of Language and Culture, China. – SS (fl)

Source: Masnahneh Masdin, HEP