THURSDAY, 20 FEBRUARY – As part of the Lobster Stock Improvement Project and Petagas River Awareness Campaign, the Marine Borneo Research Institute (IPMB) Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) organised a Petagas River Village Visit to the institute yesterday.

The visit involving 30 residents of the village were welcomed by the Director of BMRI, Prof. Dr. Saleem Mustafa.

In his welcoming speech, he said that the main objective in organising the visit was for IPMB to share their knowledge while giving opportunity for the villagers to have a closer look at the lobster and fish breeding management techniques done in UMS.

“It is also an effort to spread our knowledge in line with the government’s call on higher education to encourage knowledge transfer programmes to the community,” he stated.              

He also expressed hope that the Lobster Stock Improvement Project and Petagas River Awareness Campaign which was in collaboration with the Putatan District Office would help improve the socio-economic condition of the village as well as increase awareness on the importance of maintaining the river’s cleanliness.

Meanwhile, the head of the community project, Prof. Datin Seri Panglima Dr. Ann Anton in her talk said that 18,000 lobster seeds were released into the Petagas River since the start of the Lobster Stock Improvement Project and Petagas River Awareness Campaign in April 2013.

She urged all members of the community to collectively work together to ensure that the planned project would run smoothly.

The delegation also visited the Aquarium and Marine Museum before being taken around UMS campus.

Also present was Putatan Assistant District Officer, Hassan Mahali who represented the Putatan District Officer. – SS (FL)

 
Media and Citra Division
Chancellery Department

TUESDAY, 18 FEBRUARY – The welfare and comfort of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) students was one of the concerns of UMS Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd. Harun Abdullah in providing a harmonious campus environment.

According to him, efforts to increase the facilities at students residential colleges would be intensified to guarantee the safety of our students.

“Recently I visited the students’ residential colleges and had sent directives that they be equipped with CCTV,” he said.

He also urged students to care for the facilities provided by the university as well as revive the spirit of gotong royong among occupants of the residential colleges.

“Use the activity of cleaning the colleges’ premises as part of your exercises whilst fostering closer rapport with each other,” he added.

Prof. Datuk Harun also reminded students of UMS not to be swayed by extremism in politics which did not bring benefit to their learning.

“Opportunities to further your education does not come by often, carry out your responsibility as a university student by demonstrating your commitment and sincerity in performing your duties as a will from the Almighty,” he stressed.

At the Vice-Chancellor’s Message 2014 which was held at UMS Chancellor Hall this morning, Prof. Datuk Harun also announced the change of residential colleges’ names formerly known under alphabets ABCD and E to residential college Tun Dr. Mahathir (AB), residential college Tun Mustapha (CD) and residential college Tun Fuad Stephens (E).

Marketable graduates, besides having the right image and good public perception had led to UMS receiving more than 4,000 in enrolment every year and had churned out a total of 46,318 graduates since its inception two decades ago. – ZMD (FL)

 
Media and Citra Division
Chancellery Department

MONDAY, 17 FEBRUARY – The Higher Learning Institution Games (SUKIPT) 2014 which ended yesterday saw UMS athletes showing some improvements particularly in the medal count.

The championship which had been going on for three days ended yesterday which showed UMS athletes bringing home 5 gold, 6 silver and 3 bronze in the first edition of the games.

The gold medals were contributed through Kata Team Category Karate-do (Women) and 75kg Individual Kumite Category, athletics Category 400 Metre Hurdles (Men), Taekwando Poomsae Team Category (Men) and Fencing Individual Epee Category (Women).

UMS Silver medals were from Shot Putt (Men), Javelin (Men and Women), 400 Metre Hurdles (Women), Long Jump (Men) and Individual Poomsae Taekwondo (Women).

Meanwhile, the bronze medals were from Taekwondo (3), Athletics (3), Karate-do (2), Tennis (1), Silat (1) and Petanque (1).

The closing ceremony was officiated by the Education Minister II, Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh at the Tuanku Agong Canselor Hall Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Shah Alam which was also the host this year.