The team representing Kolej Kediaman Tun Fuad (KKTF) of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) emerged as champions in the inaugural UMS FA Cup, held in conjunction with the UMS Sports League 2023/2024.

In the final match, KKTF defeated the Faculty of Engineering team with a 2-0 victory at the UMS Stadium last Saturday.

Other competitions held during the league included the UMS Premier League, UMS League, UMS Women’s Futsal League 2023, and UMS Volleyball League.

In the UMS Premier League, the team from Kolej Kediaman Tun Pengiran Ahmad Raffae (KKTPAR) was crowned champion, followed by the Faculty of Psychology and Education (FPP) in second place, and KKTF in third.

The UMS League title was claimed by the Faculty of Islamic Studies (FIS), with Kolej Kediaman Non-Resident (KKNR) securing second place, and the Faculty of Business, Economics, and Accounting (FPEP) taking third.

Meanwhile, KKTPAR also secured victory in the UMS Women’s Futsal League, defeating Kolej Kediaman Tun Mustapha (KKTM), who placed second, while KKTF finished third.

KKTPAR continued their winning streak by clinching the UMS Volleyball League title, overcoming KKTM in second place, and FPEP in third.

Prizes were presented by UMS Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Raman B. Noordin.

Neurogine Group of Companies, a digital transformation, technology and service provider in Southeast Asia, has collaborated with Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) to establish a living technological laboratory in Labuan.

The initiative, known as the "UMS Asian Centre of Excellence for Financial Blockchain" (UMS ACoE), aims to create an innovation cluster focused on blockchain technology, particularly in financial applications and platforms addressing food security.

It said the joint effort would involve talent consolidation from Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei, Indonesia, and East Asia, positioning UMS ACoE as a Financial blockchain innovation hub.

Neurogine chairman Chen Chee Peng said the decision was reached following the Board of Advisors' 2024 Annual Meeting held for the first time in Labuan.

He said that the board had visited the UMS Labuan International Campus (LIC) earlier and inspected potential locations, favouring two for their size and resources.

Chen further stressed the current shortage of talent in blockchain technology despite its growing importance, highlighting the centre's role in attracting and Additionally, Chen expected the centre to play a crucial role in the rise of central bank digital currencies across Asia, emphasising the demand for talent in this evolving landscape.

As such, the initiative would not only create job opportunities but also attract foreign investments to Labuan, potentially transforming commerce and social aspects in the region, he said.

Furthermore, he said the company aims to nurture youth talents via the centre, advocating for the digitalisation agenda to benefit Labuan's communities, especially with the impending relocation of Indonesia's capital city.

Chen expressed optimism that the collaboration with UMS would yield positive economic, technological, and social growth in Labuan.

The proposed UMS ACoE will seek suitable talent and provide a dedicated platform for them to showcase and demonstrate their financial blockchain application and solutions.

"We propose close cooperation with the two faculties at UMS LIC, namely Labuan International Finance Faculty and Computing and Informatics Faculty, as both are in the right position to develop talent in this field, which combines technology and finance," he said.

Graduates who excel in various aspects are essential assets to the nation, driving development and competing on the international stage.

Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Datuk Dr. Kasim Hj. Mansor, highlighted this as aligned with the Ministry of Higher Education’s (KPT) vision of Quality Higher Education, Outstanding Individuals, Prosperous Nation.

"It is evident that the nation aspires to produce graduates who are not only academically excellent but also possess outstanding character," he said.

“To this end, UMS, through the Centre for Co-curriculum and Student Advancement, offers courses aimed at honing students’ potential and developing their soft skills through appropriate curricula and organized programs,” he explained.

He made these remarks during the closing ceremony of the UMS Co-Curriculum Carnival (KARKUMS) Session 1 2023/2024 at the UMS Chancellor Hall.

Kasim added that one of the key initiatives undertaken is the Innovation Carnival with the theme ‘Simple and Realistic Innovations.’

"Through this initiative, students are exposed to innovation under the guidance of certified trainers.

"This is a commendable effort to open students’ eyes to innovation and provide them with the opportunity to think creatively, in line with UMS’s slogan, ‘Leading an Innovative Society,’" he said.

Kasim also noted that the KARKUMS Carnival allowed students to showcase their learning outcomes creatively and vibrantly at their respective exhibition booths.

“With the theme of culture and tradition, the event instilled a love for cultural heritage among students, in line with this year’s carnival slogan, ‘Cultivating the Tradition of National Heritage, Sustaining Genuine Identity,’" he added.

During the event, Kasim also officiated the launch of the KARKUMS logo in conjunction with UMS’s 30th anniversary.

Also present were Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student and Alumni Affairs), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Raman Noordin; Director of the Centre for Co-curriculum and Student Advancement (PKPP), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jurry Foo; and KARKUMS Program Director, Awang Ku Syaiffudinsah Awang Ku Zainuddin.

The Borneo Marine Research Institute (IPMB) of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) has been officially recognized as a Higher Education Centre of Excellence (HiCoE) for its expertise in producing high-value marine fish fry.

According to IPMB Director, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ching Fui Fui, the institute received this recognition from the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT), along with a HiCoE grant of RM6.75 million.

She noted that IPMB is the first HiCoE in Borneo, focusing its research on seafood security, specifically in the production of high-value fish fry such as grouper and coral trout.

“IPMB has made history in the grouper aquaculture industry by successfully producing hybrid groupers with a fast growth rate of just seven months compared to three years for regular groupers.

“This rapid growth is crucial to meet the market demand for seafood not only in Malaysia but also across Asia.

“In addition to grouper, IPMB is actively conducting research on coral trout, covering various aspects such as genetics, breeding, nutrition, health, and system management. So far, we have identified the gender and maturity stages of coral trout broodstock and successfully obtained high-quality fertilizable eggs,” she explained.

She shared this after a visit from the Minister of Higher Education, Datuk Seri Diraja Dr. Zambry Abd. Kadir, to the IPMB Hatchery during his first official working visit to UMS recently.

The visit was accompanied by Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Datuk Ts. Mustapha Sakmud; Director-General of Higher Education, Prof. Dr. Azlinda Azman; and UMS Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Datuk Dr. Kasim Hj. Mansor.

According to Prof. Kasim, UMS’s hybrid grouper research has created an economic value of USD630 million, as documented by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 2015, with its value continuing to grow.

“I am confident that similar success can be achieved with other high-value fish, especially coral trout, ensuring seafood security through the production of high-quality fry.

“This effort is expected to address the issue of depletion of high-value fish stocks, ensuring the sustainability of fisheries resources while driving economic growth through collaborations with aquaculture partners and industry players,” he stated.

During the visit, Prof. Kasim expressed gratitude to KPT for providing RM3 million in funding for the first year of the HiCoE IPMB program.

HiCoE IPMB will also collaborate with Kindai University, several other universities locally and internationally, and the Sabah State Government to drive the blue economy agenda, aligning with Sabah’s development plan as a national economic hub.