WEDNESDAY, 26 OCTOBER – Cooperation between Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and a research centre in China, Heilongjiang Academy of Science (HAS) has resulted in the production of two products namely Black Garlic and Black Fungus.

Vice-Chancellor of UMS, Prof. Datuk Dr Mohd Harun Abdullah said, the cooperation made history for the university when it named UMS as the first university to be recognised by the Malaysian Halal Certificate from the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) through its subsidiary, UMS Investment Holdings Sdn. Bhd. (UiNVEST) for the two products.

“We are grateful with the results of this joint research between the Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition (FSMP) UMS and Heilongjiang Academy of Science, which is seen to contribute great benefits in meeting the needs of the market and in the halal food industry.

“I believe this is a catalyst for the production of various products through smart partnership,” he said when contacted by the media.

According to Datuk Harun, both products contain high nutrition and good for health.

“Based on our studies, Black Garlic could help with blood circulation, high antioxidants, lowers antimicrobial cholesterol, anti-fungus and many others.

“Whereas, the Black Fungus is also used as an ingredient in cooking and can improve blood circulation, lowers cholesterol, contain antioxidants and helps the user to be more positive and stable,” he said, adding that the processing of the product would be carried out in China and would be commercialised by UiNVEST in Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia.

The launching of these two products was officiated by the Sabah Chief Minister, Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Hj. Aman at the Agriculture Festival, Faculty of Sustainable Agriculture UMS on 29 October 2016. – (fl)

TUESDAY, 25 OCTOBER – Alumni Centre, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) recently organised a meet and greet session with UMS alumni in Kuching, Sarawak.

Director of Alumni Centre, Hj. Mohd Raffie Janau said the programme aimed to keep track of UMS alumni in Sarawak to strengthen ties with their alma mater.

“We also want to inform all alumni that they are the ambassador of UMS for all government and private agencies, and the public to bring excellence through UMS branding everywhere.

“The alumni also acts as an advisor, to assist in reunion organised by UMS or contribute to the development of the university for mutual benefit,” he said during the inaugural ceremony held at the Land of Hornbills.

Raffie also officiated at the event.

According to him, the establishment of the chapter would strengthen ties amongst alumni in Sarawak by implementing a variety of activities including organising of the ‘Homecoming’ event.

Held after the launch was the appointment of the Supreme Council Committee that saw Zaim Zaidi appointed as the Head Chapter and Ahmad Shafiq Ahmad Sabirin as his Deputy.

The Secretary and Treasurer are held by Nurul Azzah Zainal and Francesca Lim Way, respectively.

The programme also included a ‘citra karisma’ where alumni had a self-introduction and their current work status. – (fl)

 
Source: Dk. Rozlina Pg. Aliuddin

MONDAY, 24 OCTOBER – Staff and students of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS)grieve the passing of a former member of UMS Board of Directors who was also a prominent figure of the national security team, Tan Sri (Dr.) Henry Chin Poy-Wu.

According to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd Harun Abdullah, the passing of the late Tan Sri Henry was a great loss to the nation and the state, and especially felt by UMS community as the late Tan Sri was the longest serving member of the Board of Directors of the university.

“Throughout his tenure at UMS, the late Tan Sri had contributed immensely to the university especially in the sharing of ideas and experience particularly in setting the direction of UMS.

“On behalf of UMS, we offer our condolences to the family members and hoped that they would stay calm in facing this difficult moment,” he said in a statement today.

Tan Sri Henry, 79, died at the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) in Kuala Lumpur at 6.04 am due to a stroke.

The late Tan Sri left behind his wife, Puan Sri Shirley Cheng Hua Chien, 72, a son and a daughter, and had served the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) for 38 years before retiring in 1993.

Tan Sri was involved in various historic events such as serving as a Secretariat to the Cobbold Commission and the Government Committee in 1962, defending the country during the Kalabakan incident in a confrontation, engaging in gunfight against the Armed Unit of the Communists in Kampar, Perak (1980) and played an important role when negotiating with the Malaya Communist Party (PKM) and North Kalimantan Communist Party in 1990.

He was appointed as the Kuala Lumpur Commissioner of Police from 22 June 1990 until 12 August 1993.

After his retirement, he continued his service to the country as Chairman of various companies, educational institutions and sports associations.

Tan Sri Henry was appointed to the Board of UMS from 2001 until 2015.

For his service and dedication to UMS, Tan Sri was awarded an honorary doctorate in Sociology at the 17^th UMS Convocation last year. – (fl)

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