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)

TUESDAY, 18 OCTOBER – Universiti Malaysia Sabah Islamic Centre (PIUMS) recently organised a ‘Ziarah Fillah’ Programme at Surau Al-Hidayah Kampung Giling Laut Tuaran.

According to the Director of PIUMS, Dr. Mohd. Suhaimi Taat, the programme among others aimed at disseminating knowledge and religious obligations for the community of the village thus improving the implementation of solat that adhere to hukum and sunnah.

“Besides Tahsin Solat course and Managing of the Dead, the programme fosters closer relationship between UMS and the local community,” he said when officiating at the programme.

“UMS Islamic Centre are always ready to share knowledge with the community in the village whenever there is a need,” he added.

Also present was the Chairman of Surau Al-Hidayah, Muslin Jaim.

The one-day course attracted 90 participants comprising villagers of Kampung Giling Laut, and UMS staff. – (fl)

Source: Islamic Centre, Universiti Malaysia Sabah

TUESDAY, 18 OCTOBER – Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) achieved remarkable improvement when it achieved four star rating in the Malaysian Research Assessment (MyRA®) 2015.

The official results of the MyRA® rating was announced by the Director of Higher Education Institutions Excellent Planning Division, Higher Education Department, Minister of Higher Education, Prof. Dr. Raha Abdul Rahim.

The announcement was made in an official letter dated 13 October 2016 addressed to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd Harun Abdullah.

Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd Harun in a statement expressed his gratitude with the achievement as a significant improvement proven by the cooperation from all UMS community.

“Since 2013, the MyRa® rating climbed to three stars; we are thrilled with the latest recognition to four stars in 2015.

“This is a collaboration from all staff and students of UMS who always give strong commitment and support to the management in bringing the university to a higher level,” he said.

MyRA® assessment is based on eight main criteria namely Quantity and Quality of Researchers, Quantity and Quality of Research, Quantity of Postgraduate, Quality of Postgraduate, Innovation, Professional Services and Prizes, Networking and Outreach, as well as Support Facilities. – (fl)