FRIDAY, 7 OCTOBER – The recent SME @ UMS programme was organised to improve Small and Medium Sized Enterprises’ (SME) Chief Executive Officers (CEO) in enhancing their knowledge and skills in entrepreneurship.

According to the Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Professor Datuk Dr. Mohd Harun Abdullah, it was because there were still many SME CEOs who were lacking in experience and skills in that area.

“We must equip ourselves with sufficient knowledge in business management because the ever changing market and stiff competition could be major deterrents for entrepreneurs to be active in the global market.

“Therefore, to achieve this goal, knowledge and skills in business management are essential for CEOs to be more competitive by improving and developing their products,” he said in his speech during the opening of the SME @ UMS Graduation Ceremony 2016.

His speech was delivered by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International) UMS, Professor Dr. D Kamarudin D Mudin.

He added, the SME @ UMS programme was a structured learning system for SME CEOs based on the model from University of Tokyo, Japan aimed at developing human capital to be creative and innovative in business management in order to develop business growth amongst new and existing entrepreneurs.

“The programme uses hands-on approach to ensure entrepreneurs get the latest on the current market trends,” he said.

A total of 30 local SME CEOs received their certificate of completion, which was presented by the Chief Executive Officer of SME Corp. Malaysia, Datuk (Dr.) Hafsah Hashim.

Also present were the Dean of the Faculty of Business, Economics and Accounting UMS, Associate Professor Dr. Raman Noordin, and the Senior Manager of SME Instrument Division, Human Resource Development Berhad, Tinah Jerome. – (fl)

Photo: Musaab Umair

THURSDAY, 6 OCTOBER – More than 500 participants attended the 2^nd International Nursing Conference organised by the Higher Education Institution of Nurses, held at Promenade Hotel Kota Kinabalu, hosted by Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), today.

Conference participants comprised government hospital nurses and nursing students including lecturers from nine public universities namely UMS, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (UIAM), Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) and Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA).

According to the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah (KePKAS), Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun, nurses faced many challenges in meeting the needs of patients and giving good care services to them.

“Therefore, in order to offer the best service, we need to have a hospitality system that includes trained workers, efficient information system and an established medical technology,” he said.

His speech was read by Deputy Minister of KePKAS, Datuk Kamarlin Ombi.

Earlier, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International), Professor Dr. D Kamarudin D Mudin in representing the Vice-Chancellor of UMS, Professor Datuk Dr. Mohd Harun Abdullah said, to meet the needs of patients, nurses should always be equipped with current knowledge and sufficient information to be shared with the public.

The two-day conference was aimed at creating awareness and improve the delivery system in the medical field in this country. – (fl)

THURSDAY, 6 OCTOBER – The recent Seminar on Mission in a Plural Society (DDMM) Phase 3 at the Main Lecture Hall 2, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) received an overwhelming response with participation of nearly 80 from the public and staff of UMS itself.

The DDMM Seminar jointly organised by the Islamic Centre of UMS, Hidayah Centre of Sabah and the IKRAM Malaysia Sabah Branch was officiated by the Director of Islamic Centre UMS, Dr. Muhammad Suhaimi Taat.

In his speech, he said the programme was timely organised as the public need to know of their religious obligation in preaching and propagate Islam to people of all races without hurting the others’ feelings while maintaining harmony between the community’s culture and religion.

“My hope for the futue is to see more participants from among the new converts and UMS staff to better understand their responsibilities to preach among plural society through interaction with the speakers directly,” he added.

The two-day seminar was conducted by six guest speakers, Ustaz Haji M. Rapi Manji from SMKA Limauan; Haji Marsus Jabar from UiTM Sabah; Surahman Salam from SMK Benoni; Papar and speakers from Hidayah Centre Foundation; Tuan Haji Burhanuddin A. Ghani, Wan Muhammad Wan Ibrahim and Joannes Lukas. – (fl)

THURSDAY, 6 OCTOBER – A total of 85 new students of the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (SISPA) Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) attended the Semester 1 2016/2017 Session SISPA Orientation held at ODEC UMS, recently.

According to the Deputy Commandant of SISPA UMS, Lieutenant Colonel (PA) Dr. Mohamad Nizam Nazarudin, the new students went through an introduction and exposure on SISPA and the Civil Defence Corps in UMS.

He added, this orientation programme would strengthen the relationship between new and senior students as well as the coaches, besides fostering cooperation and camaraderie among troops in uniformed units.

“The students were given many tasks and activities to challenge their creativity and problem-solving skills that requires teamwork,” he said.

The programme was a mandatory programme for all new students of SISPA UMS Corps, which also provides exposure in ethics, protocols and the managing of events. – (fl)

Source: Siti Sham Ismanizah Bt Sh Mohd Rahil, SISPA UMS