Global Industry - Academia Cooperation Collaboration (GIACC) mobility program to Hannam University, South Korea which involved lecturers and students from Faculty of Business, Economics and Accounting (FBEA) of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) could strengthen strategic collaboration between both universities.

FBEA Mobility Coordinator, Datu Razali Datuk Datu Hj. Eranza said, GIACC is one of the mobility cooperation activities carried out by FBEA through the Entrepreneurship Research and Development Unit (UPPPK), the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) FBEA and the FBEA Mobility Program, with HNU, which based on the approach of HNU's Capstone Design credit program.

“This program is a return visit to appreciate the 16 members of Hannam University consisting of eight professors and eight students who visited UMS in December last year.

“Such cooperation provides platform for students and lecturers to share experiences and exchange views on Malaysian and South Korean international business management,” he said.

He said this in a statement in conjunction with the UMS delegation's visit to HNU which started yesterday.

Datu Razali noted that, HNU-UMS Capstone Design Manager, Professor Peter Lee Jae Myeong who coordinated the visit has planned various programs of lectures, industry visits and group work.

“The GIACC program based on Capstone Design really encourages and trains students in international business, based on different backgrounds and experiences.

“Through such programs, students and lecturers can study and establish international relations not only with academic strategic partners, but also include industry involvement.

“As a result of this program, the faculties at both universities will be able to increase competency in teaching and learning, which will produce students who think critically and holistically,” he said.

Datu Razali added that, HNU’s Director of Leaders in Industry-University Cooperation 3.0, Professor Dr. Won Gu Hwan when welcomed the program participants from UMS expressed his gratitude for the visit held this time and hoped that more visits would be made in the future, from time to time.

“The mobility meeting discussion hopes that universities and industry partners in Daejon, South Korea and Sabah will continue to provide support to make the GIACC Capstone Design HNU and UMS successful in the future.

“HNU is expected to visit UMS in June 2024, which will be joined by professors, lecturers, and students,” he said.

Besides Datu Razali, also involved in the programme Director of AACSB, Rosle Mohidin and seven FBEA students.

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.

The Nutri-Connect 1.0 programme held by Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition (FSMP), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) at Kampung Libang, Ranau recently was an effort by the university to enhance healthy eating education among the communities.

According to the FSMP Head of Nutrition Programme, Dr Norliyana Aris, the programme was aimed to provide nutrition education to bring about healthier and happier communities, as well as to offer hands-on learning experiences to the students.

“It is in line with the strategy of the National Nutrition Policy 2.0 which aims to empower individuals, families, and communities as agents of change and take ownership of their nutritional well-being.

“Various activities were conducted, including nutrition screening, nutrition counselling, healthy plate and food pyramid education, physical activity challenge, guess the sugar in drinks and salt in food, and healthy cooking, which took part by more than 50 participants from all age groups, women and men,” she said.

She added that the programme gets positive response from the villagers, where they mention that such activities provided knowledge and raised awareness, and hope that the programme will be conducted continuously in the future.

“Hence, we aim to empower the community to become Health Nutrition Ambassadors in Nutri-Connect 2.0 in the future. 

“Participants will be invited to Train-the-Trainers activities which will provide knowledge and skills for a healthy lifestyle and sustainable nutrition,” says Dr Norliyana.

Meanwhile, the programme coordinator, Dr. Noor Atiqah Aizan Abdul Kadir, who also hails from Ranau, pointed out that healthy food is the foundation for good health and wellbeing. 

“This programme provided insights into self and family care through good nutrition which takes into account local culture.

“We hope that this programme is beneficial to the community in Kampung Libang, Ranau, to bring about healthier eating and a positive impact on their health and wellbeing,” she said.

Also involved in the programme, Nutrition Programme lecturers, Dr. Nur Hanisah Azmi, and Dr. Ramlah George @ Mohd Rosli, as well as 28 Nutrition students who also conduct the activities throughout the programme.