Shangri-La Rasa Ria, Kota Kinabalu, celebrated a night of innovation and discovery, strengthening its collaboration with Universiti of Malaysia Sabah (UMS) through the launch of Mushroom Culinary of Sabah, a recipe book showcasing the culinary and ecological significance of mushrooms, alongside the unveiling of Malaysia’s first bioluminescent mushroom display.

The evening commenced with the launch of Mushroom Culinary of Sabah, a collection of 33 exceptional recipes created by the resort’s seasoned culinary expert and Sous Chef, Chef Elroy Ernest. Drawing on his local heritage and deep appreciation for Sabah’s biodiversity and over 20 years of experience, Chef Elroy crafted recipes highlighting locally sourced mushrooms’ versatility, nutritional benefits, and cultural essence.

“This book exemplifies our Rooted in Nature ethos,” said Chef Elroy. “Our reserve serves as an extension of the Chef’s Garden, allowing us to cultivate ingredients sustainably and connect our guests with nature. From farm to table, these recipes celebrate Sabah’s rich culinary traditions and incredible natural resources.”

The event’s highlight was the unveiling of Rasa Ria Reserve After Dark: The Glow Experience.

This groundbreaking bioluminescent display was developed in collaboration with UMS and led by Associate Professor Dr Jaya Seelan A/L Sathiya Seelan and his team from the Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation (ITBC).

Located within the resort’s 64-acre Rasa Ria Reserve, the glowing mushroom installation offers guests an immersive experience blending science, art and nature.

“This partnership with Shangri-La Rasa Ria is a significant milestone for UMS,” said Dr Jaya.

“The glowing mushroom garden is not only a scientific achievement but also a celebration of Sabah’s unique biodiversity. It exemplifies what can be achieved when research and innovation are paired with a commitment to environmental sustainability.”

General Manager Fiona Hagan highlighted the broader impact of these initiatives. “Mushroom Culinary of Sabah and the Rasa Ria Reserve After Dark: The Glow Experience reflect our dedication to fostering biodiversity, sustainability and cultural appreciation,” she said. “These projects are integral to our ESG framework, promoting environmental stewardship and youth development while offering guests meaningful connections to Sabah’s natural wonders.”

Through initiatives like these, Shangri-La Rasa Ria continues to lead in sustainable tourism, offering guests transformative experiences that celebrate Sabah’s ecological and cultural heritage while supporting local communities and reducing environmental impact.

Present were UMS Vice Chancellor Prof. Datuk Dr Kasim Hj. Mansor and Professor Madya Dr Fiffy Hanisdah Saikim Director, Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation (IBTP), UMS.

The Instrumentation and Science Services Center (PIPS) of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) recently sent five staff members to participate in an advanced training program at the JEOL Factory in Ohtemachi Chiyoda-ku, Japan.

The five-day training focused on understanding the theory and operation of the Jeol Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) Model JSM-7900F.

The team included the Deputy Director of PIPS, UMS, Assoc. Prof. Ts. ChM. Dr. Mohd Sani Sarjadi, along with other staff members with backgrounds in science and technology.

FESEM is an advanced instrument used to examine extremely small surface details on objects, offering resolutions down to the nanometer scale.

According to Dr. Mohd Sani, the instrument is crucial in research fields such as chemistry, physics, and biology, allowing researchers to observe structures as small as 1 nanometer.

“During the course, participants were introduced to in-depth FESEM techniques and applications, including analyzing surface sample morphology and detecting chemical elements using EDX detection methods.

“The training also included practical sessions where participants had hands-on experience with the FESEM equipment, enabling them to gain a better understanding of its operations and capabilities.

“By attending this course, participants are expected to bring back valuable knowledge that will enhance the efficiency of FESEM usage at PIPS, UMS. This, in turn, will maximize the potential of the instrument in conducting research and analysis at the institution,” he explained.

The training was conducted by JEOL’s Manager of the Solution Promotion Department, Akane Tameike.

Dr. Mohd Sani further stated that through the course, participants would be able to offer expert consultation services to researchers at UMS and industry players, reducing reliance on external service providers for sample analysis using FESEM.

“The quality of research at UMS is also expected to improve through the more efficient application of FESEM technology, contributing to the advancement of knowledge and technology in Malaysia. Additionally, the training has the potential to elevate PIPS UMS’s profile as a leading reference center for FESEM analysis in the country.

“This training marks a significant step in PIPS UMS’s efforts to continuously develop the capacity and capabilities of its staff in the field of electron microscopy.

“With the knowledge and experience gained from this training, PIPS is expected to create a positive impact not only for researchers at UMS but also for the industry and the wider community,” he added.

PIPS UMS remains committed to advancing its capacity and capabilities in providing sophisticated and effective analytical services, serving as a catalyst for innovation and high-quality research.

In the face of increasingly challenging global developments, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) aims to continue to be a driver of change through high-quality research, innovative teaching and contributions to society, said its Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Kasim Mansor.

Prof Kasim said this is especially since this year marks the institution’s 30th anniversary, highlighting that the university has recorded many successes and achievements in the past three decades, despite starting from humble beginnings with only 205 students for its first intake in 1995.

He said in the context of academic excellence, UMS increased its position in the QS World University Rankings (Sustainability) 2025 to 792 from the 1001-1200 group, while for the QS Asia Rankings 2025, it has jumped to 243 compared to 271-280 in 2024.

Until now, a total of 185 of the university’s undergraduate and postgraduate programmes have been certified by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), while 17 others have received recognition from professional bodies and another 15 achieved international accreditation.

In 2023 and 2024, UMS researchers were listed in the top two percent of the world’s best scientists by global analytics company Elseiver, proving the institution’s contribution to global research as well as its reputation of a world-class university.

From 2012 to 2023, UMS also got 25 recognitions in various categories at the National Book Award, highlighting its focus on publications as a platform for documentation and disseminating knowledge while strengthening research credibility.

UMS graduates’ employability rate has also increased from 54.7 percent in 2014 to 98.5 percent in 2023, whereby the latter year also saw the university recording its highest number of PhD and Masters graduates with 97 and 131 respectively.

And with 169 active agreements covering 17 countries, UMS strengthens its international visibility through Memorandums of Understanding (MoU), Memorandums of Agreement (MoA) and Letters of Intent (LoI).

In addition, UMS has also developed 22 Living Labs to date, each with different focuses but the same aim of solving social, economic and environmental challenges in a practical and sustainable way.

“When UMS started its journey in 1994 with only 50 academic and administrative staff, it was their enthusiasm and perseverance that paved the way to pioneering a path that was once wilderness.

“After 30 years, the number of UMS staff is reaching 2,800 while Hospital UMS staff has 665, catering to close to 18,000 students including 648 foreign students, with 91,630 alumni worldwide.

“In this regard, I am calling on all UMS staff, from lecturers, administrators to students, to work together to elevate the name of our institution with dedicated and quality work.

“Let us unite to ensure that this university continues to progress, becoming a symbol of excellence, not only at the national level but also in the international arena,” he said.

Prof Kasim said this when delivering his inaugural lecture titled “Pearl in the Ocean of Knowledge: Navigating Excellent Aspirations” in conjunction with the UMS Pearl Jubilee celebrations at the campus here on Thursday.

Meanwhile, he also announced that special tuition rates will be given to the children of UMS staff furthering their studies at the university, as well as staff who wish to pursue theirs.

Prof Kasim said they also plan to provide health insurance to UMS retirees to reduce their medical burdens, through establishing a retirees association to take care of their welfare.

Also present was UMS board of directors’ chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan.

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Pulau Layang-Layang plays a vital role in today’s increasingly complex geopolitical era, particularly in the context of the South China Sea.

The Secretary-General of the Ministry of Higher Education, Datuk Seri Ir. Dr. Zaini Ujang, emphasized that this research not only symbolizes intellectual courage but also reflects the extraordinary dedication of researchers and their assistants in fulfilling a significant mandate for the nation.

“As researchers, you hold a significant responsibility to be catalysts of change.

“Let your research not only be an academic pursuit but also a contribution to shaping the future of our nation,” he stated during his speech at the Launch Ceremony of the Sovereignty Monument Replica and the Book on Pulau Layang-Layang, Malaysia.

Earlier, UMS Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Datuk Dr. Kasim Hj. Mansor, highlighted that this initiative represents a milestone achievement in research, further strengthening UMS's position at both national and international levels.

“Today’s event showcases UMS's capability to leverage research findings and translate them into tangible forms.

“This underscores UMS’s commitment to contributing its expertise and resources to Malaysia while reflecting the determination and spirit of the university community in supporting research agendas that can contribute to national development,” he added.

He also mentioned that the research conducted by the Small Islands Research Center (SIRC), Faculty of Science and Natural Resources, UMS, involved collaborations with other higher learning institutions such as Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), and Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).

“This research encompasses various disciplines, including geopolitics, socioeconomics, biodiversity, and geomorphology, to support Malaysia’s sovereignty claims and identify sustainable development opportunities.

“The launch of the Sovereignty Monument Replica and the book Pulau Layang-Layang: Malaysia’s Gem in the South China Sea is a testament to UMS’s commitment to research excellence, advancing knowledge with far-reaching impacts on national issues, and nurturing future generations to appreciate national sovereignty,” he remarked.

The ceremony was attended by UMS Board Member Prof. Dr. Baba Musta, UMS Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Prof. Ir. Dr. Rosalam Sarbatly, SIRC Director Dr. Farrah Anis Adnan, and Project Leader Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd. Harun Abdullah.