Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) has launched a Strategic Business Unit (SBU) to support financial sustainability initiatives and act as a catalyst for innovative income-generating ideas.

UMS Vice-Chancellor, Professor Datuk Dr. Kasim Mansor, explained that the SBU is a revenue-generation concept and a "game-changer" highlighted in the UMS Strategic Plan 2023-2027.

“This initiative represents a proactive step by UMS to intensify investment and revenue-generation activities across its Responsibility Centers (PTJ),” he stated.

The establishment of the SBU aligns with the government's directive for public universities (UA) to generate their own income in response to the phased reduction of annual management budget allocations for public universities.

“The SBU also aims to promote UMS’s products, services, and expertise, enhancing the university’s visibility locally and internationally,” Dr. Kasim added.

He emphasized that the selection of SBU units was based on their track record of revenue generation and the potential of these PTJs to contribute through competitive market activities, projects, or services.

“I am confident that with comprehensive policies, guidelines, and effective monitoring mechanisms, the SBU will meet its targets and provide returns on UMS's investments,” he remarked during the launch ceremony for the SBU.

At the event, six PTJs were designated as SBUs:

1. Pusat Luar UMS (PLUMS)
2. Pusat Minda Lestari (PML)
3. Penerbit UMS
4. Inkubator Institut Penyelidikan Marin Borneo (IPMB)
5. Galeri Azman Hashim UMS (GAH-UMS)
6. Pusat Pengurusan EcoFarm

The event was attended by UMS Treasurer Badrul Hisham Ismail and Director of the Investment, Endowment, and Waqf Center (CIEW), Dr. Borhan Sareya Abdullah.

The Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition (FSMP) at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) is inviting science stream students to pursue studies in food science and nutrition at the university.

FSMP offers four Bachelor’s degree programs with honors, specializing in Food Service (UH6541001), Food Science and Nutrition (UH6541002), Nutrition (UH6541003), and Food Technology (UH6541004)

Dean of FSMP, Associate Professor Ts. Dr. Hasmadi Mamat, highlighted that all four programs are accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), with two receiving additional recognitions.

“The Nutrition program (UH6541003) is accredited by the Malaysian Allied Health Professions Council (MAHPC), while the Food Science and Nutrition program (UH6541002) received international recognition from the International Food Technologist (IFT) in December 2023,” he explained.

Dr. Hasmadi shared these details during an academic promotion event at Labuan Matriculation College (KML) recently.

The program aimed to introduce and promote FSMP's undergraduate offerings while inspiring matriculation students to explore food science and nutrition as a career path.

Director of KML, Mohd. Mahyuddin Mohd. Noordin, expressed gratitude for the initiative, stating that it provided valuable exposure to KML students.

“This promotion program not only enhances students' understanding of academic and career opportunities in food science and nutrition but also motivates them to prepare for university life.

“We hope such programs will continue in the future, and KML looks forward to exploring more collaboration opportunities with FSMP,” he said.

The event saw the participation of 1,260 students, who were given insights into academic programs, career prospects, scholarship opportunities, and student activities at FSMP through detailed briefings by program heads.

Also present were FSMP Deputy Dean of Academic and International Affairs, Associate Professor Dr. Wolyna Pindi, and KML Head of Student Management, Syahmun Yahya.

In a significant move to bolster pension saving awareness among young working adults in East Malaysia, University Malaysia Sabah (UMS) has signed a Research Collaboration Agreement with Private Pension Administrator Malaysia (PPA).

The signing ceremonial took place at UMS recently.

The Research Collaboration Agreement was signed by UMS Vice Chancellor, Prof. Datuk Dr. Kasim Hj. Mansor, and PPA Chief Executive Officer, Husaini Hussin, in the presence of witnesses Luqman Ridha Anwar, UMS Registrar, and PPA Marketing Manager, Wong Mew Sum.

The partnership will see both institutions embark on a one-year research project titled "Enhancing Pension Saving Awareness and Intention Among Young Working Adults in East Malaysia”.

The research aims to assess current levels of pension saving awareness, identify influencing factors, and develop strategies to improve pension saving intentions.

East Malaysia's unique demographic and economic landscape provides an intriguing framework for this study, which is critical in ensuring financial security for the community in their later years.

Earlier, Kasim in his speech said, the collaboration marks a milestone in UMS ongoing efforts to contribute to society through research that addresses real-world issues.

“Today, we are focusing on the need to plan for one of the most important periods of our lives: retirement, and the necessity to plan for it through adequate pension provision.

“The task we have to perform is important, because our younger generations will be the backbone of tomorrow's economy, but many of them start their careers without knowing how to save for retirement,” he said.

Meanwhile, Husaini in his speech congratulate UMS for the commitment in uncovering insights to increase awareness and to empower the young working adults to be better prepared financially to secure their future.

Also present Deputy Vice Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni) Assoc Prof. Dr. Raman Noordin; UMS Chief Librarian, Md. Sazali Md. Salleh; and the Dean of Faculty of Computing and Informatics, Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Mohd Hanafi Ahmad Hijazi.

Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) together with Department of Higher Learning (JPT) Ministry of Higher Education (KPT), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and Malaysian Council for Public higher Learning Institutions (MEIPTA) successfully organized Malaysian Inclusive Open Educational Resources (iOER) Virtual Showcase 2023 recently. 

The event is a follow up to the National iOER Policy launched in December 2021, brought together distinguished guests, educators, and international representatives, underscored UMS leadership in promoting accessible education for all.

The Vice Chancellor UMS, Professor Datuk Dr. Kasim Haji Mansor said UMS is honoured to be one of the key parties involved in the project called ‘Design and Development of iOER’.

“This project is conducted fully online in three phases over a period of six months. The activities were made possible with the generous financial support of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, USA.

“UMS is committed to implement the Malaysian National iOER Policy and Action Plans as outlined in the UNESCO OER Recommendation 2019. This project focuses on Action Plan No.3 namely, to support the creation, access, re-use, re-purpose, adaptation and redistribution of inclusive and equitable quality OER for all stakeholders,” he said.

The showcase was officiated by the Director of JPT, Professor Dr. Azlinda Azman, involving 80 academicians from 20 Malaysian public universities.

Furthermore, Kasim said UMS is also responsible in establishing the website ioercop.ums.edu.my to archive all activities and deliverables from this project under creative Commons licenses and can be accessed globally.

He also informed that the iOER project was initiated by Director for eLearning UMS, Professor Dr. Fong Soon Fook who is also the UNESCO iOER Consultant and his dedicated team.

“We congratulate KPT on the showcase of the project “Design and Development of iOER” which will be transform the lives and abilities of everyone and the differently-abled individuals in Malaysia by giving them access to educational resources that are vital to their inclusion in society and their contribution to the greater good of humanity.

“Our shared goal is to contribute to the realization of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, ensuring quality education for all.

“As we celebrate this iOER Showcase, allow me to express our commitment to providing the fullest support and cooperation to the Ministry of Higher Education as we collectively embark on the next steps forward in advancing iOER,” he added.

UMS also express gratitude and appreciations to the Director of the Regional UNESCO Office in Bangkok, Soohyun Kim; Chief Advisor UNESCO Bangkok, Joe Hironaka; UNESCO Consultant Trainer, Professor Dianne Chambers; Creative Commons USA, Dr. Cable Green; UDL Implementation Specialist Centre for Applied Special tecnology (CAST), Bill Wilmot and Google Malaysia.

Earlier in speech, Soohyun applauded UMS’s dual focus on championing the open education movement and advancing accessibility for persons with disabilities.

She commended UMS leadership in this global project by showcasing how the OER policy has been practically applied through capacity-building workshops supported by UNESCO.

“This OER showcase demonstrated how a national policy has been practically applied to create innovative and inclusive OER learning materials in Malaysia,” she said.

She also highlighted the exponential growth of open-licensing and UNESCO’s adaptation of the UNESCO OER recommendation, emphasizing the role of inclusive education for persons with disabilities and open licensing in achieving SDG-4.