WEDNESDAY, 25 MAY – Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) through its Faculty of Science and Natural Resources (FSSA) celebrated  World Forestry Day (HPS) at the university in an effort to instill awareness among campus community on the importance of maintaining forest areas in Sabah.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Academic and International UMS, Professor Dr. D Kamarudin D Mudin said, the awareness to protect and preserve this forest was translated globally through the World Forestry Day and World Environment Day  celebrated every year.

“We want these two important days be celebrated in a grand scale so that the spirit of caring for our forest be nurtured amongst the community especially the younger generation who are still in school,” he said representing the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Datuk Dr. Mohd Harun Abdullah during the HPS Day celebration held at the Forestry Complex Ground, FSSA UMS.

According to him, various programmes and activities related to the caring, protecting, preserving and conservation of our forests and the environment such as planting trees and forests should be intensified and made as the main activity each year.

Various events in conjunction with the celebration were organised including Forest Run, tree planting, exhibition and forest research innovation as well as talks relating to the field of forestry were planned and participated by several secondary school students. – MA (fl)

TUESDAY, 24 MAY – ‘Rentas Borneo 2016’ (RB16) which enters its third consecutive year this time will venture into the interior of Sabah with a mission to be involved in community engagement, which is synonymous with the goal of this expedition.

The destination covers Kg. Puun Batu, Nabawan and will be participated by 100 staff of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), and will start on 27 May and ends on 30 May.

Besides the participation from UMS, RB16 will also be participated by Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) crew, State Health Department (JKNS) and Keningau FM.

26 four-wheel-drive (4WD) vehicles will be used, assisted by UMS Four Wheel Drive Volunteers Club (UMS4WDVC).

RB16 Chairman, Professor Dr. Ismail Ibrahim said, Rentas Borneo programme became one of the official activities of the university as it involved a large number of organisations with the aim of bringing people living in the interior with the outside world.

“RTM’s participation for example would bring a huge impact to this programme as the people throughout the nation would be able to see the socio-cultural and community life of this minority group from an isolated area, including a glimpse of the beautiful flora and fauna of the village.

“Similarly, the involvement of JKNS bringing their doctors, nurses and medicines joining the RB16 convoy would ease the need for villagers to visit the nearby health clinic due to the road condition and unavailability of vehicle,” said the Dean of the Faculty of Psychology and Education UMS.

He added  that a number of activities with the residents of Kg. Puun Batu would be held during the two days there such as health and medical screenings, drawing and colouring competition for school children, four-wheel drive demonstration, cultural performances, Unduk Ngadau competition, football and volleyball competitions and the donation of clothing.

“A recce team has already been assigned to have discussions with the villagers about our intention of holding RB16.  Based on the response of the recce team, the last 10 kilometre stretch of the village was the most challenging and more so when it rains,” he said.

He also stressed that the members of UMS4WDC was all prepared to face the challenges ahead going through this route.

For the record, the last RB2015 went through Pagalungan, Pensiangan, and the expedition members had a tough time returning to Kota Kinabalu because of landslides which closed the main route.

The RB convoy lost contact with the outside world but armed with the know-how, they managed to overcome the situation through teamwork.

“For RB16, the convoy will be flagged off on the grounds of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences UMS by a member of the Board of Directors UMS, Datuk Dr. Hj. Yusof Hj. Yacob and the opening of RB16 at Kg. Puun Batu will be officiated by the Minister in the Prime Minister Department, YB Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Joseph Kurup, who is also the Member of Parliament of Pensiangan, on 29 may,” said Professor Ismail. – (fl)

This was made possible through a collaboration with Asan Foundation headed by Hesham Hafez, the son-in-law of the late Sheikh Abdul Razak Sheikh Mahmood.

Earlier, Hesham who is also the President of Paper Distribution International Group gave a talk on “What Does it Mean to Be Successful, Being Successful”.

“I went through ups and downs in the business industry, but that did not deter me from picking myself up and moved on,” he said in his talk attended by more than 170 students from the Faculty of Business, Economics and Accounting, UMS.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Student Affairs and Alumni, Associate Professor Dr. Ismail Ali in his speech hoped that the students would emulate the reputable attitude of Sheikh Abdul Razak, who was hardworking and honest.

A Letter of Intent (LOI) was also signed between UMS and Asan Foundation, where library books, online journals and back files of online journals in the areas of finance and economy would be included in this collection in the next five years.

Also present at the launching ceremony were the Chairman of the Board of Directors of UMS, Tun Zaki Tun Azmi, the widow of the late Sheikh Abdul Razak Sheikh Mahmood, Datin Kalsombi V.K. Majid and family members, as well as principal officers of the university. – FL

Photo: Suzeanywaty Gasinin

MONDAY, 23 MAY – A total of 66 undergraduates under the Civil Defence Corps (SISPA), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Labuan International Campus (KAL) recently undergone a field training programme held at the Operations Control Centre of the Civil Defence Department (JPAM) Labuan District.

Allied Officer of SISPA UMSKAL, Associate Lieutenant Colonel (PA) Associate Professor Dr. Norazah Mohd Suki said, the three day two night programme was aimed at giving students the knowledge and skills to help themselves and others besides promoting values of respect, orders, discipline, cooperation, responsibility and self-confidence.

“It is also to enhance physical endurance, mental and spiritual balance among the members of SISPA,” she said at the closing ceremony.

She said the Field Training was a practical training which involved skills of the Civil Defence Corps taught during classroom lectures as well as at field training.

Dr. Norazah congratulated the participants comprising members of SISPA Semester 2 and 4 for successfully completing their training.

“Thank you to JPAM for working tirelessly to ensure the success of this training session.

“The results of this exercise by SISPA UMSKAL is the knowledge acquired on Civil Defence both in theory and practical, enhance leadership skills, understanding the meaning of teamwork, and fostering moral values,” she added.

She hoped to conduct more challenging activities in future to prepare more young volunteers, with a deeper sense of cooperation for the sake of religion, race and the nation. – SS (fl)