MONDAY, 11 NOVEMBER – The Chief Minister of Sabah, Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Hj Aman urged that research in the field of agriculture industry be translated to a community project which will benefit and add knowledge to farmers, breeders as well as agricultural entrepreneurs.

He said the involvement and investments from private sectors in the agriculture industry should support Sabah’s economic development.

“The expertise at the university level should be shared with government agencies and industry so that the development of the state agricultural industry becomes more comprehensive, orderly and systematic,” he said.

“Sustainable economic development not only dependent on government spending but also through investments from the private sector,” he added. He said this at the launching ceremony of the Agriculture Carnival 2013, School of Sustainable Agriculture (SPL) and the launch of MyAgrosis at SPL’s Multipurpose Hall, UMS Sandakan Branch Campus yesterday.

He praised UMS efforts in organising the Agri Carnival in Sandakan which showed that UMS placed priority on human capital development and the spread of knowledge including bringing the institution closer to the public.

Earlier, UMS Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd. Harun Abdullah said the carnival was organised with the aim to expose UMS students to venture into agricultural industry as agricultural entrepreneurs.

He stressed that MyAgrosis Club was one of the positive steps taken that would be able to produce skilful professional agricultural entrepreneurs under the guidance of the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) and the Fisheries Department Malaysia.

“I believe with the students involvement in MyAgrosis Club would help to implement some key elements such as self-discipline, leadership, ethics, communication and negotiation skills, thus preparing students to become successful agricultural entrepreneurs who are capable and easily adaptable with the rural communities,” he said.

Among those present at the launching ceremony were Sandakan Municipal Council President, Datuk Ir. James Wong; TSH Resources Berhad Chairman, Datuk Dr. Kelvin Tan Aik Pen; Sabah FAMA Chairman, Ribin Wahid and Area Manager of Agrobank Sabah, Rosli Yahya. – MA


Media Division
Chancellery Department

SATURDAY, 09 NOVEMBER – The School of Psychology and Social Works (SPKS) Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) is offering Speech Therapy Session and Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) Session for children who are experiencing developmental problems.

In a statement issued by the School, the sessions will be held every Tuesday and Wednesday at the Cognitive Lab and Children’s Development Lab SPKS.

The statement also said that both the therapies were chargeable at reasonable rates. For the Speech Therapy which is in a duration of 30 minutes, the fee is at RM50 per session whilst for ABA at RM80 per session which is for a duration of two hours.

For further information, please contact SPKS officer, Noorma Razali at 088-320000 ext 8845 or through fax at 088-320101.

The Speech Therapy is useful for children with speech difficulties whilst ABA for children with Austism. – SS

 

Media Division

FRIDAY, 8 NOVEMBER – A study tour by the Missionary Training Centre Kemas Kindergarten, Sikuati to the Rural Medical Education Centre (PPPD) recently had provided an early glimpse on health and personal hygiene for the participants comprising children.

One of the teachers of the kindergarten accompanying the delegation, Kamariah Hajar said that the kindergarten had chosen PPPD for their study tour because the facilities on healthcare were able to provide an initial idea on the field of medicine to the students.

She added that the health talk presented by PPPD staff had given them an invaluable experience and lessons to the children on healthcare and its importance to our daily life.

“We can see the expressions of the children’s faces when they were taken on a tour round this centre; among them were nursing area, gymnasium, laboratories, etc. This is something new to them and this experience is needed to boost their interest to join the medical or science fields in future,” she said.

Meanwhile, PPPD staff, Mohd Rodzie said the centre accepts visits from primary and secondary schools around that area. He said that they would include talks on healthcare, explanation on patient nursing care, etc.

Thus, he welcomes school students to the centre and is always open for collaborations and at the same time do their part in providing corporate social responsibility to the surrounding community. – MA

 
Media Division
Chancellery Department