By Sainah Mustakim and Mohd Affzanizam Mohd Amin

MONDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER – Centre for Postgraduate Studies (PASCA) held their Student Registration Day for the Semester 1 2015/2016 Academic Session at the Main Lecture Hall 2, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), recently.

The registration saw a total of 654 new students, including international students from Bangladesh, Brunei, China and Indonesia.

The postgraduate students were reminded during the introduction briefing to maximise the opportunity given to pursue their studies at Masters and PhD levels to the end and contribute to society through the knowledge gained.

Dean of the Centre for Postgraduate Studies Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Professor Datin Dr.  Mariam Abdul Latip said, local and international students chosen to continue their studies at UMS would have an added value to their resumè as this would be able to positively impact the communities of their respective countries.

“As a graduate of UMS, I am sure you are able to carry out your responsibilities in a creative and innovative way.

“Here, you will get more knowledge, the opportunity to learn new techniques and skills, develop ideas and educate you to be independent, creative and hard-working,” she said.

According to Datin Dr. Mariam, postgraduate study is not an easy task, but with all the help and guidance, these challenges would be an enjoyable experience for the students.

“UMS Centre for Postgraduate Studies will ensure that all activities done while studying in their postgraduate level would be made easier with all the services and advices offered to the students,” she concluded. - (fl)

By Mohd Affzanizam Mohd Amin

Photo: Johaidi Ismail

He said, this included a total of 89 students who registered with UMS under the Bottom 40% Household Category (B40) during the recent new students intake 2015/2016 academic session.

“To ease the burden of this group, UMS has taken the initiative to provide food aid for a month while the students arrange and obtain their loans from the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN),” he said.

He said this at a meet-the-students session of the bottom 40% house hold entry mod, recently.

According to Datuk Harun, the aid would ease the burden of the new students, and they could focus on lectures when the academic session begins.

“It is my hope that the selected students do not put to waste the opportunity given after setting foot at the university,” he added.

“If they encounter any problems, they can meet with officials at the Student Affairs Department who are ever willing to offer their help to them,” he further stressed.

The offer to enter UMS for those listed under the B40 is an initiative of the university in fulfilling its responsibility to ensure that the underpriviledged students would be able to continue their tertiary education.

By Che Hasruddin Che Hasan

THURSDAY, 10 SEPTEMBER – The new students of the 2015/2016 Academic Session are indeed lucky for having a Vice-Chancellor who always inspires students to continue to strive towards improving their knowledge whilst still in Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS).

According to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Datuk Dr. Mohd Harun Abdullah, the presence of new students were akin to a budding tree, trying to draw as much knowledge as possible.

“Explore and enjoy the knowledge that is shared, this would be the anchor in reinforcing faith in ourselves.

“Three to four years is not a long period.  Think positive by absorbing all new knowledge.  UMS has sufficient expertise and recognised nationally and internationally,” he said at the Oath Taking and Pledge Ceremony, held at the Dewan Canselor (Chancellor Hall), recently.

“Retrieve,  toil and digest all the knowledge to blend with oneself.  Disseminate, share and practice charity with the knowledge gained for our own, family, community and nation's well-being”

Datuk Harun added, during this period students would also shape their personality and self-confidence because UMS balance the needs of academic and co-curricular activities to produce holistic and competitive graduates .

He also reminded all students to make full use of the facilities and infrastructure provided by the university and to study hard to achieve their dream. - (fl)

By Salbinous Saribun

WEDNESDAY, 09 SEPTEMBER – Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) participants displayed their remarkable skills in the 3^rd British Parliamentary Kelantan International Debate Competition held recently at Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK).

UMS was represented by English language Debate Club President (EDC), Muhammad Zulfadhli Zulkifli and former President, Eric Yoong advanced to the finals and competed with three other teams namely, Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), Kumpulan Lagend and San Veda College from the Philippines.

At this stage, UMS representative who was also a student of the Faculty of Sciences and Natural Resources came fourth and received a trophy, certificate and cash prize of RM600.

Lagend Malaysia grabbed the top spot, 1^st runner-up was UiTM and third place was won by San Veda College, the Philippines.

Meanwhile, Head of Student Affairs Department, Azmi Jumat hailed the international level achievement as something to be proud of by the university.

“It uplifts the image of UMS and opened the eyes of others on the university’s ability to shape and produce students who are talented and balanced, in accordance with the country’s 1^st national education shift plan, which is having good personality and educated,” he said.

He explained that UMS continued to encourage students to actively participate in oratory activity, seen as a right step to hone critical thinking and effective communication techniques.

“This is UMS HEP department’s continuous effort in improving the marketability of students, at the same time improve the ranking of the university,” he further added.

A total of 48 teams from local and foreign countries took part in the three-day competition. – (fl)

Photo: Rohani Hadi, HEP