THURSDAY, 30 OCTOBER – The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) presented its Japan International Cooperation Agency President Commendation Award to two Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) lecturers at the Executive Board Meeting Room yesterday.

Both recipients were Prof. Dr. Kamarulzaman Askandar and Dr. Ayesah Uy Abubakar, lecturers from the Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Heritage.

At the ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd. Harun Abdullah in his speech said that the cooperation between JICA and UMS began in 2002, through the Borneon Biodiversity and Ecosystems Conservation (BBEC) Programme, a multi-agency collaboration between the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Sabah state government and UMS.

“We increased our cooperation through this peace-building platform between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), now known as Consolidation for Peace (COP) programme with JICA through the leadership of both the recipients,” he said.

Datuk Dr. Mohd Harun congratulated JICA and said that he was proud with the ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation and hoped that this smart-partnership would encourage more initiatives and activities in the future.

Meanwhile, JICA Senior Representative, Kyodo Okubo said the commendation award was presented to individuals, groups and project teams to recognise their outstanding contribution to the development of human resources, society and the economy of developing countries. – SS (fl)


Photo: Ernest Berinus


Media and Citra Division
Chancellery Department
 

THURSDAY, 30 OCTOBER – The signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and the Department of Islamic Affairs (JHEAINS) was the right step in the development of halal industry management with integrity.

According to Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister of Sabah, Datuk Mohd. Ariffin Mohd. Arif, he said the partnership started in 2010 to provide synergy on JHEAINS as the agency entrusted to carry out the management of halal certification in the state.

“Besides, it is to facilitate dietary management system, especially when it comes to equipment designing to detect illicit substances in any food products and products for Muslim use,” he said in his speech at a ceremony in UMS Chancellery Building.

At the MoU, UMS was represented by its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd. Harun Abdullah and the Registrar, Datuk Abdullah Hj Mohd Said, whilst JHEAINS was represented by its Director, Abdul Halim Nayan and its Deputy Director, Mohamad Sidik Hj. Awang Adi.

Earlier, Prof. Dr. Mohd. Harun said this cooperation shall include the maintenance, production, manufacturing of halal food, trainings to upgrade expertise and human resource competency, policy development and the implementation of related courses and the enforcement of halal certification system in Sabah.

He added that UMS will continue to move forward as an agent of change for the community and food industry through the expertise and capabilities of academicians available at the Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition (FSMP).

Also present were the Chief Librarian of UMS, Dyg. Rukiah Ag. Amit and FSMP Dean, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sharifudin Md.Shaarani. – ZMD (fl)


Photo: Ernest Berinus


Media and Citra Division
Chancellery Department

WEDNESDAY, 29 OCTOBER – The research and innovation culture should be applied to all university community to ensure that Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) would always be a reference centre, locally and abroad.

This was stated by UMS Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd. Harun Abdullah at the closing ceremony of the 7^th Research and Invention 2014 Competition (PEREKA) yesterday.

According to him, the university’s management would always give priority to the provision of the best research facilities such as incentives and research grants to researchers.

“UMS will continue to provide funding to researchers to protect intellectual property, attending of conferences and exhibitions as well as international invention competition at national and international levels,” he added.

His speech was read by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International) UMS, Prof. Dr. Shariff Abdul Kadir Shariff Omang Al-Haj.

Also present were the Chief Librarian of UMS, Dyg. Rukiah Ag. Amit and Senior Officers of the university. – ZMD (fl)

Photo: Suzeanywati Gasinin, BPK

WEDNESDAY, 29 OCTOBER - The 7^th Research and Invention Competition (PEREKA), Universiti Malasyia Sabah (UMS) in its closing ceremony today gave recognition to 204 projects competed in the research and innovation categories.

A new award was also introduced this year namely Special EcoCampus Award given to research or innovation that had the characteristics consistent with UMS EcoCampus in tandem with UMS efforts towards achieving EcoCampus status come 2018.

The special award was won by Dr. Collin G. Joseph of the Faculty of Science and Natural Resources (FSSA) with the title of his project ‘A Novel Combo Design of a Portable Ozone Generator With Attached Air Compressor for Use in Wastewater Remediation.’

A total of 32 gold medals, 67 silver and 105 bronze were awarded to the winners of this year’s PEREKA.

Dr. Annita Yong Seok Kian of Borneo Marine Research Institute (IPMB) and Major (PA) Assoc. Prof. Dr. Norazah Mohd Suki of the Faculty of International Finance Labuan (FKAL), each winning three gold in the research category for their projects.

For the record, at last year’s PEREKA 2012 saw researchers won 18 gold, 26 silver and 23 bronze in six invention competitions within the country and abroad. – HH (fl)


Photo: Suzeanywati Gasinin, CRD


Media and Citra Division
Chancellery Department