KOTA KINABALU: The Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Hospital is expected to begin operations by the end of next year. 

UMS Board of Directors Chairman Datuk Sri Abdul Rahman Dahlan said it would serve as a practical training centre for UMS students.

He said it would also be open to the public seeking medical treatment. 

“The hospital with a capacity of 400 beds will provide facilities to the public.

“We hope the construction of the hospital will be a catalyst for the well-being of the people in the state,” he told the media after the Pro-Chancellor Appointment Letter Presentation Ceremony to the Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor.

Hajiji Mohd Noor has been appointed effective Jan. 1, 2021. 

Head of State Tun Dr Juhar Muhairuddin handed over the letter to Hajiji at the Istana Negeri. Apart from Hajiji, another UMS Pro Chancellor is Tan Sri Azman Hashim.

 Present were UMS Vice-Chancellor Prof. Datuk ChM. Ts. Dr Taufiq Yap Yun Hin and senior officials.

Also making a courtesy call was the new Sabah Federal Secretary Datuk Dr. Zulkapli Mohamed who replaced Datuk Samsuni Mohd Nor.

By: Salbinous Saribun

KOTA KINABALU: A Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) graduate, who made a short film about her father's artistic life journey, emerged a winner for the Best Screen Play award at the recent Limkokwing Youth International Film Festival.

Siti Nuryshirah Mohd Anwar's short film entitled 'Penjara Seni' earned her a trophy and a certificate after beating 50 other contestants, including participants from China, Iran, Pakistan, Brazil, India, Philippines, Botswana, Swaziland, Syria, and Krygyzstan.

The 14-minute 19 second film featured the life story of her father, Mohd Anwar Mahmud Chuchu, who was a self-taught artist and went through challenges to chase his artistic dreams. The film was Siti Nurshurah's final year project.

Describing her win as unexpected, Siti Nuryshirah said she did not have high hope as she had submitted the same short film to other contests but luck was not on her side.

"However, I do believe that as long as there's an opportunity, there is no harm in trying. I am grateful to have won my first award and it is an international award," said the aspiring film-maker.

Siti Nursyahirah, who is a visual technology graduate, said she had chosen to tell the life story of her father because it was such an inspiring journey that the public should know as it would inspire those going through similar journey.

Through her short film, she hoped to open the eyes of all people that "self-thought artists" do exists and that their talent should not be judged by rank or position.

"My father always tells us how he became an artist. He told us how his school teachers often scolded him for filling up his exercise books with drawings and ordered him to get out of the class for doodling on the blackboard.

"But all these did not deter him from continuing with his artistic talent. My father sold 'kuih' to buy his drawing equipment and his passion for art intensified when a teacher from abroad purchased his artwork for RM5 during secondary school.

"In his adulthood, my father took courage and entered an art contest. Many professional and educated artists also joined. It was here, where my father was looked down upon and labelled as 'pelukis kampungan'," she said.

Siti Nursyahirah said after her father won the competition, he was offered to further his artistic talent in London.

However, due to financial constraint, he had to turn down the offer. Despite the setback he nevertheless managed to open his own art gallery.

Siti Nursyahirah said winning the youth international film festival could not be made possible without the help and support of her siblings, friends, and university lecturers, among others.

"It is my hope that our country organises more art competitions and that the government provides more fund to our artists, especially film-makers.

"The nation has many talented film-makers, who are facing difficulty in producing their work due to insufficient fund. I also hope the quality of Malaysian artists would continue to thrive to be on par with international art activists," she said.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2021/02/668266/ums-graduate-wins-limkokwing-youth-international-film-festival

KOTA KINABALU: Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) donated 500 Covi-Pro face masks to the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia (STPM) students of SMK Putatan.

UMS Center for Instrumentation and Science Services director Associate Prof Dr Zaleha A Aziz said the contribution is indicative of the university’s concern to help curb the Covid-19 pandemic spread, including the school areas.

“It is hoped this contribution of face masks can be utilized by the SMK Putatan staff, especially in facilitating the running of smooth teaching and learning sessions,” she said.

Meanwhile, SMK Putatan Student Affairs senior assistant Faridah Yanin expressed her appreciation to UMS for the contribution.

“This contribution is very meaningful to the school, especially in helping to ensure the safety of students from the Covid-19 pandemic threat,” she said.

“This also facilitates the school in ensuring every Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) step set by the Ministry of Health Malaysia is being complied while facing the SPM examination, which started today and STPM, which will start in March,” she added.

Faridah also said that the face masks will be given to 262 SPM students and 170 STPM students for use during the examination.

During the presentation ceremony held recently, Faridah received the UMS Covi-Pro face masks from PIPS science officer Noor Azimah Pelah.

UMS also contributed 250 face masks to SMK St Mary Limbahau Papar earlier this month.

The UMS Covi-Pro face masks are produced by the Engineer Faculty volunteer team led by Dr Choong Wai Heng for the use of UMS frontline staff and members.

UMS also contributed the face masks to frontliners of various agencies like Sabah State Health Department, Likas Hospital, Ministry of Health Malaysia Training Institute, Malaysian Immigration Department and MASwings Sdn Bhd.

Source: https://www.theborneopost.com/2021/02/22/ums-made-face-masks-for-exam-candidates/

By: Faezah Mohamad Dun

KOTA KINABALU: Hospital Universiti Malaysia Sabah (HUMS) has received RM1.5 million in aid from the state government.

The aid was presented by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Mohd Noor at the Chief Minister’s office in the Sabah State Administrative Centre (PPNS).

During the handover ceremony, UMS was represented by Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Associate Professor Ts Dr Ramzah Dambul and the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Science Professor Dr Mohammad Saffree Jeffree.

The aid was aimed at providing assistance to HUMS in conducting Covid-19 tests and in turn curbing the spread of the virus.

Also present was State Secretary Datuk Safar Untong and Community Development and People’s Wellbeing Minister Ir Shahelmey Yahya.

Source: https://www.theborneopost.com/2021/02/18/hospital-ums-gets-rm1-5-mln-covid-19-aid-from-sabah-govt/