THURSDAY, 04 AUGUST – Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) tourist visits continues to soar after the launching of EcoCampus Visitor Information Centre (EVIC) yesterday.

UMS Media survey today found that tourists arriving in three tourist buses and two taxis were enjoying the scenery around UMS Chancellor Hall.

All of them took photographs of the surrounding areas, especially of the Clock Tower that is unique and an attraction itself.

There were also taking selfies against the backdrop of the stairs near the library and the Chancellery Building from below.

It was understood that these were tourists from China, Korea and Japan, judging from their appearance. – SS (fl)

WEDNESDAY, 03 AUGUST – Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) today launched its EcoCampus Visitor Information Centre (EVIC), a one-stop centre that provides information and promotes tourism packages in UMS.

Along with the launch of the centre was the introduction of the five tour packages comprising day and night packages based on Green Tourism and Nature Tourism namely Gallery & Museum Tour, Nature Delight Tour, Architecture Heritage Tour, Sunset Tour and Nature Education Camp that comes with reasonable charges.

According to the Vice-Chancellor of UMS, Professor Datuk Dr. Mohd Harun Abdullah, among the central component placed at this centre were the gallery and tourist information centre, centralised ticketing centre and tour packages including a gift shop.

“Construction of the UMS-EVIC building was according to the EcoCampus branding where only minor renovation were done to the laboratory belonging to the Faculty of Science and Natural Resources,” he said in his speech during the launching ceremony.

The event also saw the launch of the Visit UMS 2016/2017, becoming the first public university that introduced such programme in Borneo.

Conducted under the supervision of UMS EcoCampus Centre, the launching ceremony was officiated by the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun.

Also present were the Director of EcoCampus Management Centre, Associate Professor Dr. Justin Sentian and Principal Officers of UMS. – SS (fl)

 WEDNESDAY, 03 AUGUST -  The Corporate Relations Division (BPK) Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) held roadshows on Research Article Writing for Newspaper and Video Production, particularly for academicians and faculty management staff.

Held at the Mini Auditorium of Faculty of Psychology and Education (FPP), the briefing presented by Publications Officer, Che Hasruddin Che Hasan among others touched on the appropriate writing format for newspaper as a medium to highlight research and the expertise available at UMS.

“Many researches done by UMS lecturers are only based on academic and scientific use, and not for the general public.

“Through article writing related to research, the expertise and current issues review done by academicians would be exposed and create awareness on the matters, thus showing the benefit of UMS to the public,” he said.

Touching on research video , he said each faculty could produce their research video related to their niche area as a method of introducing the advantages of the faculty and is aimed for use during teaching and learning.

The same briefing was held at the Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Heritage in the afternoon. – MA (fl)

TUESDAY, 02 AUGUST – Faculty of Sustainable Agriculture (FPL), Sandakan emerged as the recipient of the Most Active Organisation in organising blood donation campaigns in Sandakan throughout 2015.

The UMS Sandakan Blood Donation Campaign organiser, Wilson Azahari said, the award was presented by the Duchess of Kent Hospital (HDOK) in a ceremony to award organisations and the public in conjunction with World Blood Donation Day, recently.

When contacted, he said, FPL UMS Sandakan was chosen as the organisation that had the most blood donation campaigns, which was six in total.

“The award or recognition is not the priority, but in creating awareness and in support of the HDOK Sandakan Blood Bank to meet the shortage of blood that often happens, especially during peak period like festive seasons,” he said.

Wilson said the campaign indirectly promoted FPL UMS to the surrounding communities in Sandakan.

The award presenting ceremony was graced by the Director of HDOK, Dr. Francis Paul.

Apart from the Most Active Organisation Award, Dr. Francis Paul also expressed his appreciation to the organisations that managed to get the highest number of blood donors including active donors from among the community, people with special needs (OKU) and HDOK staff itself.

FPL will hold its next Blood Donation Drive on 28 October 2016, in conjunction with the Faculty of Sustainable Agriculture 10^th anniversary on 24-30 October 2016. – SS (fl) 

Source: Faculty of Sustainable Agriculture