WEDNESDAY, 20 JULY – 584 pilgrims attended the 1437H/2016M Hajj Course, State-level West Coast Zone, jointly organised by the Malaysian Hajj Pilgrims Fund Board (TH) and Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), recently.

The course was officiated by the State Assembly Speaker, Datuk Haji Syed Abas Syed Ali.

In his speech he congratulated TH for their commitment in ensuring all programmes and activities for the pilgrims were successfully implemented.

He advised the pilgrims to stay healthy and to bring enough medical supplies as the hajj required physical strength, especially during the Arafah, Muzdalifah and the stoning of the devil at Jamrah.

According to one of the pilgrims, Sahara Jais, 43, the Hajj Course was important as it gave them an idea of the situation at the holy land, so as to be better prepared.

“This is the first time I will be performing the hajj to the holy land, I am very happy and grateful for having been chosen to join this course,” Sahara said, who hailed from Kg. Gudon.

Also present at the event was the Senior General Manager, TH Human Resources, Tuan haji Hisham Harun and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International) UMS, Professor Dr. D Kamarudin D Mudin. – (fl)

WEDNESDAY, 20 JULY – Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Professor Datuk Dr. Mohd Harun Abdullah welcomed the arrival of a 55-strong member delegation from China and the members of the Malaysian Chinese-Muslim Association, Sabah Branch to UMS.

The visit not only helped promote the university itself but also paved the way for collaborations between UMS and MACMA.

“It is hoped that this would be a fruitful visit in terms of cooperation and knowledge-sharing between the two sides.

“We can analyse the collaborations for the benefit of a global community,” he said in his speech during the courtesy visit by the delegation, held at Galeri UMS.

He added, the cooperation with agencies from China was no longer new as UMS had collaborated with a university in Harbin, China related to “Halal Food” products.

The delegation from MACMA also performed a Kung Fu demonstration by Master Bai Yi Hai, and calligraphy by Master Li Xing Lin. – MA

Photo: Ernest Berinus

MONDAY, 18 JULY – Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) through its Health Research and Development Unit (DHRU) entered into an agreement with the exchange of documents with EcoHealth Alliance for sponsorship of UMS postgraduate students.  The exchange of documents was held at the Executive Board Meeting Room, today.

The exchange of ‘Subcontract Award Agreement’ was presented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Professor Dr. Shahril Yusof to the President of EcoHealth Alliance, Dr. Peter Daszak.

According to Professor Dr. Shahril, the sponsorship deal was to fund the three postgraduate students in the fields of Medicine and Health Sciences, as well as Humanities, Arts and Heritage.

“The sponsorship deal is worth RM291,852 that would cover the expenses of the three postgraduate students during their study.  The current phase of this Subcontract Award Agreement covers the period from 1 January 2016 until 14 October 2016.  It is expected that the agreement will be continued, covering the entire period of study of the postgraduates namely Amy Lim, Alice Mathews and Jimmy Lee,” he disclosed in a ceremony.

He added, the sponsorship of students by EcoHealth Alliance was one of the cooperation between UMS and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), based in New York, adding that other activities planned between these two organisations included research and publications, as well as educational seminars and workshops.

Meanwhile, Chief of DHRU, Dr. Sarma Aralas said, the project undertaken by DHRU and EcoHealth Alliance were ‘Infectious Disease Emergence and the Economics of Altered Landscapes (IDEEAL)’, aimed at studying the economic impact of changes in land use in Sabah.

“The project hopes to evaluate the best practices of land use changes that could be beneficial to both health and the environment,” he said.

DHRU is a multidisciplinary research unit at UMS to foster collaborative research among researchers in the fields of medicine, economic and social sciences. – SS (fl)

THURSDAY, 14 JULY -  A total of 16 pre-school children of Sustainable Minds Centre (PML), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) participated in the Music and Movement Early Childhood Education Workshop, today.

Held at Dewan Resital, UMS, the workshop was conducted by a lecturer from the University of Hawaii, Professor Dr. Loong Chet Yeng.

UMS Media observed that the pre-school children enjoyed themselves and were cheerful while participating in the activities conducted, which started at 9.30 am.

They were taught a variety of songs and movements that were able to form positive habits in the personality of children.

The workshop was an initiative of the Borneo Heritage Research Unit (BOHRu), UMS in collaboration with the Music Programme of the Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Heritage, UMS and the Kota Kinabalu Music Society. – SS (fl)