MONDAY, 24 OCTOBER – Close to 1,500 attended the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) ‘Soaring Upwards: Let’s Talk Higher Education’ programme that filled the Main Lecture Hall 2 at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), recently.

The programme was hosted by the Higher Education Minister, Dato’ Seri Idris Jusoh and was a signature programme of MOHE in disseminating  information on higher education in Malaysia as well as successes that have been achieved at national and international levels.

The Soaring Upwards: Let’s Talk Higher Education programme was a continuation of MOHE Tour: Soaring Upwards that was successfully held between January and April 2016.

In line with the vision of MOHE to develop youths and believing that education could spur national development, the programme focused on youths from education institutions, skills training centres, government agencies, private sector, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) including associations and organisation in the country.

Four icons were invited to share their success stories in the programme, they were the Managing Director of Wan Nazri  & Partners and the Chief Structural Engineer of the Mecca Tower Clock, Abraj al-Bait, Wan Nazri Wan Aria; National High Jumper who represented Malaysia at the Rio 2016 Olympics; Nauraj Singh Randhawa; National Gymnastic athlete, Farah Ann Abdul Hadi; and Astro Awani broadcast journalist, Hilal Azmi.

The programme was also attended by Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Datuk Dr. Mary Yap Kain Ching; Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), Dato’ Prof. Dr. Rujhan Mustafa, and Vice-Chancellor of UMS, Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd Harun Abdullah including Principal and Senior Officials of the university. – (fl)

Photo: Suzeanywati Gasinin

FRIDAY, 21 OCTOBER – Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd Harun Abdullah reminded members of the Student Representatives Council (MPP) to carry out the mandate given to them with dedication and transparency.

He said the selection of the 2016/2017 Student Representatives Council (MPP) should ensure that issues and matters related to student welfare and current affairs could be brought up and settled amicably.

“MPP shoulders the responsibility to maintain the image and reputation of UMS, as well as put UMS as the best public university.  Thus, this responsibility is not only focused on students, but as an ambassador for the university,” he said.

He was speaking at the presentation of credentials to the newly appointed MPP of the 2016/2017 session, yesterday.

Professor Datuk Dr Harun also advised the MPP line-up to submit their rational and practical proposals so that they could be refined and deliberated by the university’s management.

The  2016/2017 Session MPP had voted Mohd Afi Haziq Sapili as President, whilst Wan Mahussin Wan Zain was elected as the Vice-President.

Nur Adilah Ismail was chosen for the post of Secretary General, whilst Lim Way Yang assumed the post of Treasurer. – (fl)

THURSDAY, 20 OCTOBER – The National Library (PNM) in collaboration with the State Library, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Library and Librarians Association of Malaysia (PPM) Sabah Chapter recently organised a Hands-on workshop on Digital Library.

The two-day workshop was held at the Shares Lab (Makmal Saham), Faculty of Business, Economics and Accounting (FPEP) and Medicine Lab (Makmal Perubatan), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FPSK) was attended by 200 participants comprising UMS students, librarians and state as well as federal agencies civil service staff in Sabah.

PNM, in a statement explained that the objective of the workshop was to familiarise public service staff in Malaysia to make the Digital Library of the PNM National Library as the main medium of reference for information, besides stepping up efforts to encourage more people to refer to authentic information.

The Hands-on workshop on PNM Digital Library was in line with PNM efforts to increase usage statistics in tandem with the targets set by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia, to achieve 3 million users by 2016 and raise awareness on the importance of reading and information literacy amongst Malaysian society.

Through the workshop, participants were given guidance specifically on the use of database contained in the Digital Library Services of PNM.

PNM Digital Library Services is one of the MOTAC Transformation Plans under the Public Service initiatives.  PNM Electronic Resource Portal (PNM Digital) was introduced in April 2012 and this portal is the main portal that enables Malaysians to access to a variety of information from databases and PNM Digital initiatives.

The service can be accessed via the url: www.pnmdigital.gov.my. – (fl)
Source: Library UMS

THURSDAY, 20 OCTOBER – Polling for Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Student Representative Council (MPP) was carried out simultaneously in Kota Kinabalu, Labuan and Sandakan, yesterday.

The voting process started from 9.00 am until 7.00 pm and saw a total of 16 candidates vying for the seven seats contested at the Main Campus.

Meanwhile, four candidates were contesting for two General Seats at UMS Labuan International Campus (KAL) and two candidates for one seat in Sandakan.

Nur Adilah Ismail, a student of the Faculty of Psychology and Education (FPP), topped the list garnering a total of 3,831 votes.

Trailing closely behind with encouraging votes were Wan Mahussin Wan Zain (3,751) and Mohd. Johari Mohd. Shafuwan (3,738).

The four remaining seats were won by Lim Way Yang (3,346), Mohd. Afi Haziq Sapili (3,286), Muhammad Naqueeb Abdul Rahman (3,223) and Nur Syabira Anis Mohd. Rodzi (2,810).

Two General Seats at UMSKAL were held by Mohd. Fadzil Mohd. Arfah and Husna ‘Izzati Abdullah, whilst the General Seat for Sandakan Campus went to Nur Hidayahtul Ain Anuar.

As for Faculty Seats, a total of 22 seats were contested with each faculty including Postgraduate Studies Centre allocating two seats.

The results were announced by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni) UMS, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ismail Ali at UMS Library Auditorium.

He also announced an increase in the percentage of students who cast their votes to 57.1% compared to 38% last year.

Also present were the Chairman of the Student Representatives Council 2016/2017 Session, Prof. Dr. Rasid Mail, and the Head of Student Affairs Department, Azmi Jumat. - (fl)