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MONDAY, 29 AUGUST – Borneo Marine Research Institute (IPMB) Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) once again made history in the field of research when scientists successfully produced seedlings of the mangrove crab (Scylla Tranquebarica) species.

IPMB Director, Professor Dr. Rossita Shapawi said, this successful production of crab seed was a very significant achievement in the aquaculture industry and fisheries resources as this effort allowed for the production of crab seedlings for commercial farming.

“Unlike most of the fish supply that is obtained from aquaculture, crab supplies depend on the wild habitat caught from natural environment.

“Thus, this finding is significant in the development of the aquaculture industry in Sabah.  In contrast to Peninsular Malaysia. S. tranquebarica is a dominant species in the state and will always be found sold in markets and seafood restaurant,” she said.

She was speaking at a press conference on the announcement of this success at the Shrimp Hatchery, IPMB UMS, recently.

She added that efforts in breeding of mangrove crabs in a cages started since 2012 and at the initial stages, the team faced some problems which included infections resulting in mass mortality among the large number of brood stock.

“With the research conducted by the research team at IPMB, we have identified the source of infection of the disease and established preventive measures and improved the brood stock and larval management.

“Since then, we have successfully improved the maturity of the brood stock in captivity through crab holding cage through various efforts such as the enhancement of brood stock nutrition, simulation of tidal activity and habitat creation that mimic their natural habitat in the mangrove areas.

She added that IPMB continued to have close collaboration with Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology on mangrove crab larval production to achieve better results and contribute to the local aquaculture industry and fishery resources. – (fl)

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THURSDAY, 25 AUGUST – Sustainability Seminar 2016 was successfully held recently, jointly organised by the Faculty of Business, Economics and Accountancy (FPEP), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS); Tokushima University of Japan, and Journal of BIMP-EAGA Regional Development.

Chairman of the seminar, Dr. Awangku Hassanal Bahar Pengiran Bagul said, the seminar which was held for the second time aimed at providing an academic platform for academic discourse on sustainability issues of global concern.

“This year’s seminar features working papers of academicians from universities in Malaysia and Japan.  Selected papers feature issues in the field of sustainability associated with a spectrum of issues such as poverty, social design, commercialisation, community involvement and livelihood,” he said when contacted by media.

He said, the seminar tried to connect ideas and research between science and humanities especially in its application to the society at large.

“The working papers from the seminar will be published in the Journal of BIMP-EAGA Regional Development,” Dr. Hassanal added.

At the seminar, participants were also taken for technical visits to the Marine Aquarium  and Museum, and the Borneensis Gallery in UMS.

The closing ceremony saw the presentation of certificates to the participants by the Director of the EcoCampus Management Centre, Associate Professor Dr. Justin Sentian.

For the record, the 1st Sustainablity Seminar was held at the University of Tokushima on 1 October 2015.

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WEDNESDAY, 24 AUGUST – The Merdeka Month celebration is felt by citizens from all walks of life in Malaysia.

Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) itself responded  by having a campaign to fly the ‘Jalur Gemilang’ and Sabah flag around the campus.

Media survey found that both flags have been installed in and around the campus since earlier this month.

These flags were also seen fixed on lamp posts around the main stretch of the university at Jalan Perdana Puncak Ilmu, Jalan Samudera and Jalan Canselori.

Free mini flags were given out by the Chancellery Department that saw staff displaying the flags on their vehicles to show their sign of patriotism for peace and prosperity of the country. – (fl)

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TUESDAY, 23 AUGUST – The Bursar Department (BEN) will be organising the Malaysian Private Entities Reporting Standards (MPERS) on 22-23 September 2016.

Titled “MPERS: Are You Ready to be Audited”, the programme aims to provide a comprehensive and practical approach towards MPERS implementation as well as a guidance on how to prepare financial statements according to MPERS standards.

The invited speakers are Audit Partner, Thong Foo Vung and Senior Manager, Oh Sye Yi from KPMG, a professional worldwide auditing company.

A 10% discount applies to group bookings of three or more participants.  The closing date of registration is extended to 31 August 2016. 

Pre-registration of the session is on 21 September at the lobby of the Klagan Regency, 1Borneo, Kota Kinabalu beginning at 2.00 pm until 8.00 pm.

For more information, please contact Suzie Binti Mohamad at 013-8528812, Hayati Salleh Baihaki at 014-6502837 or Sukma Setiani Binti Sujano at 016-8220218. - FL

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TUESDAY, 23 AUGUST – The Four Wheel Drive Volunteer Club Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS 4WDVC) successfully held their corporate social responsibility (CSR) through their Community Exploration Programme at Kg. Magandai, Kota Marudu, recently.

The three-day programme aimed at helping the rural community in developing sustainable ecological practices, led by Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research and Innovation UMS and the current President of UMS 4WDVC, Professor Dr. Shahril Yusof.

According to Prof. Shahril, UMS 4WDVC was often involved in CSR mission involving the use of 4-wheel drive vehicles and had chosen Kg. Magandai as the route to get to the village was very difficult and challenging.

“Volunteers comprising 27 staff of UMS planted durian trees around the school area as part of their CSR efforts.

“School children were also taught on the importance of planting fruit trees and responsible for maintaining the trees planted,” he said.

Prof.  Shahril said, besides planting fruit trees, the volunteers also had the chance to jungle trek to Kg. Minisulang located some eight kilometres from Kg. Magandai to appreciate and feel for themselves the experience of the villagers who had to use the jungle trail as their routine track.

A motivational programme with the students of SK Magandai was held in the evening, which was presented by Dr. Abd. Hakim Mohad, a senior lecturer at the Centre for the Promotion of Knowledge and Language UMS, who stressed on the importance of achieving success and continued efforts to attain a higher level of education up to university level.

UMS 4WDVC also distributed rice to help the elderly of Kg. Magandai before returning to Kota Kinabalu. – (fl)

  1. SEMEGA Familiarise Student to University Life
  2. ‘Gotong Royong’ to Preserve Cleanliness and Beauty of PML UMS
  3. 11 Countries Join Third Country Training Programme Organised by UMS
  4. Chancellery Dept Organises “Dangers in Get-Rich-Quick Schemes” Seminar

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