The combination of four main departments headed by the Registrar Department, Chancellery Department, Bursar Department and the Department of Information Technology and Communication that formed Al-Haaq, held a community project at Kampung Penimbawan, Tuaran recently, which showed the determination of the university in serving the surrounding community.

About 100 staff of UMS helped in repairing the KAFA building at the kampung that suffered a lot of damages, so that learning by the local children could be done in a conducive environment.

Among the repair work done were painting of classrooms, whiteboard installation, fixing of windows and fixing as well as painting of the building’s doors.

The fence surrounding the KAFA building was also fixed to prevent the learning equipment from being stolen, safer surrounding for the children and to avoid stray dogs from invading the property.

The one-day programme was officiated by the Political Secretary to the Minister of Local Government and Housing, Sabah, Kassim Hj. Razali.

He was grateful that UMS was always creating opportunities to be close to communities, and selecting a kampung under the purview of Datuk Seri Panglima Hj. Hajiji Hj Mohd Noor as the location for this charity project.

“This is also an innovation by UMS because previously most charitable programmes were run by students but this time it involves the administrators and staff of UMS itself,” he said, urging that such programme should be continued for the development of the villagers.

Meanwhile, UMS Registrar, No’man Hj. Ahmad said, UMS was always ready to engage with the community, especially when it involved the personal development of students.

“UMS will help in whatever way we could to the villagers of Kampung Penimbawan.

“It is our hope to see small children learn in a comfortable environment and can take advantage of this for the good of the people in Sabah,” he said.

He also urged and encouraged the involvement of academic entities to participate in such projects.

Kampung Penimbawan is located at Serusup Bay and can be accessed by waterway and land.

However, most villagers prefer to use boats as their transportation means as it is closer and easier.

Also present at the charity project were Director of Sabah Jakim, Hj. Mat Radzi Hj. Mat Ali; Village Head of Penimbawan 1, Hj. Ajim bin Tusin; Village Head of Kampung Penimbawan 2, Hj. Sidoh Hj. Hassan and senior officials of UMS. – (fl)
Photo: Musaab Umair Ambotola

MONDAY, 22 FEBRUARY – Senior Lecturer of the Faculty of Psychology and Education (FPP), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Dr. Mohd Khairuddin Abdullah was appointed as the President of the Academic Staff Association of UMS (PSAUMS) at the association’s recent general meeting.

The appointment would see Dr. Mohd Khairuddin helming the leadership of PSAUMS for one term, until 2018.

The general meeting held for the first time at the Gallery, Chancellery Building also held elections for various posts to the association.

The Deputy President post is held by a lecturer of the Faculty of Engineering, (FKJ), Dr. Khairul Anuar Mohamad, whilst Dr. Razak Mohd Ali Lee also from FKJ was elected to be the Secretary-General of PSAUMS.

Several other posts were filled by academia, including Deputy Secretary-General held by Mohd. Sobri Ismail, Dr. Musirin Mosin as the Treasurer, and committee members are made up of Dr. Mohd Norazan Abdullah, Dr. Mohd Hanafi Ahmad Hijazi, Dr. Rosmalina Abd. Rashid.

Meanwhile, the association also planned a number of proposals for PSAUMS programmes, among them are a dialogue with the National Council of Professors, public lectures, community engagement, consultants and advisory services on specific field of expertise.

PSAUMS was established among others, aimed at improving the professionalism, improve academic and intellectual culture of the association, providing a platform for exchange of ideas among its members, and a communication channel for raising issues of academic importance to the university and the Ministry of Higher Education.

The association is also committed to cooperate and coordinate efforts with the university in matters relating to the improvement and enhancement of the quality of teaching, research and consulting whilst ensuring the rights and welfare of its members are protected. - (fl)

Source: Dr. Mohamad Nizam Nazarudin, FPP

FRIDAY, 19 FEBRUARY – The celebration of Maulidur Rasul 1437H Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) level will be held on 24 February 2016, at Dewan Resital.

To celebrate the occasion, various activities have been planned by the Islamic Centre of UMS that includes Nasyid and Tilawah Al-Quran.

A Maulidur Rasul talk will also be held and will be presented by the Chairman of the Darul Ilmi Educational Centre, Sandakan, Pencetus Ummah (PU) Azihal Bangsawan.

UMS Press will also hold a book expo and an Islamic Civilisation Exhibition from 22 February until 12 March 2016 at UMS Library.

This year, UMS chose ‘Perpaduan Nadi Transformasi Negara’ as its theme for the Maulidur Rasul 1437H celebration. – (fl)

THURSDAY, 18 FEBRUARY – The Administration and Finance Sector, Faculty of Science and Natural Resources (FSSA), Universiti Malaysia Sabah recently organised a FSSA Money Management Briefing 2016 for the first time.

Held at the Seminar Room, Science and Technology Complex, FSSA, the briefing was held to discuss the topic on zakat, insurance, Amanah Saham Bumiputera (ASB) and property was presented by four speakers, Jaludin Dullah from the Sabah Zakat Centre; Sabhi Che Ros from MMA Insurance; FSSA lecturer, Awang Ahmad Mohd Yunus and Azali Saudi from the Faculty of Computer and Informatics (FKI), UMS.

According to FSSA Dean, Prof. Dr. Baba Musta, the briefing aimed to provide an understanding and awareness on the concept of zakat payment and insurance coverage, and at the same time the issues on the need and importance of effective financial planning were also discussed.

Meanwhile, Awang Ahmad who delivered a lecture on ASB said such programmes was especially relevant at a time of global economic uncertainty, which required everyone to have an intellectual change in improving their financial management in an effective manner.

“We can also learn strategies and ideas that can be implemented in finding opportunities to generate finances wisely,” he urged.

A total of 40 participants from the academic and administrative staff at FSSA attended the programme. – (fl)

Source: Kenny Uwai, FSSA