FRIDAY, 13 MAY – Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) recently won the International  Students Achievement Award 2015 at the International Appreciation Night 2016 ceremony held at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT).

Director of the Centre for International Affairs, Molly Donna Awang Sham said, this award was a great accomplishment for UMS in strengthening internationalisation among its international students.

“The award takes into account several criteria namely, management of best international students, numbers of international students from various countries and university working relationship,” she explained.

The award was presented by the Director of the Commonwealth Tertiary Education Facility (CTEF), Professor Dato’ Dr. Morshidi Sirat.

UMS Vice-Chancellor, Professor Datuk Dr. Mohd Harun Abdullah through a statement via his Facebook also said, the success was a recognition of UMS’ efforts in promoting UMS as the best destination for international students to study in various disciplines at the university.

Apart from this award, the ceremony which was held at Sultan Mizan Hall, UMT also offered the International Students Diversity Achievement Award 2015.

Also present at the ceremony were the Vice-Chancellor of UMT, Professor Dato’ Dr. Nor Aieni Haji Mokhtar and the Director of Education Malaysia Division, Ministry of Higher Education, Jamalulail Abu Bakar. – (fl)

Held at the MBA Conference Room, FPEP, the half-day workshop which began at 8.30 am saw guest speaker from BPK, Che Hasruddin Che Hasan, delivering a talk on “Article Writing According to UMS Guidelines”.

This was followed by a session by lecturer of Corporate Communication, FPEP, Jakaria Dasan sharing his experience in a talk entitled, “Article Writing Practical Techniques: TM IS OK”.

Dean of FPEP, Professor Dr. Rasid Mail when speaking at the opening ceremony said the Workshop was organised so that lecturers could see article writing as a means to enhance the culture of writing research results according to their expertise.

According to him, the press was no less important because people were more sensitive to news or research written in the newspapers and available journals, and to make people more aware of the expertise available in UMS besides making UMS as their reference point in the future.

“Lecturers should see article writing as a necessity, because lecturers are 'subject –matter expert' who can share their expertise with the public.

“This will also help enhance the people’s  life through the sharing of knowledge by the lecturers through article writing in the papers,” Professor Dr. Rasid Mail added.

Meanwhile, Che Hasruddin in his session stressed on some specific rules that should be looked into by lecturers in producing an article where lecturers should also be more sensitive about current issues when writing.

“In this connection, an article should be able to contribute to the current issues that are going on.  However, focus should also be given to the results of their research, that could be beneficial and made known to all,” he said.

Jakaria Dasan in his slot also highlighted some technical matters relating to income generation and devising an article.

According to him, readers only have 3 seconds to decide whether to read an article or not, hence title plays a very big role.

“A short and interesting title and written as brief as possible should be emphasised when selecting the title to attract your readers.

Besides current and sensational issues, an article is also read because of the style of writing.  Therefore, when writing an article, the writer must think that he or she is representing the newspaper and not simply representing the organisation.

“This will make the writers be more alert in analysing issues and not be frivolous,” he stressed.

According to Jakaria, using simple analogy, issues would be the poison , whilst articles written by lecturers would be the antidote.

The Article Writing Workshop chaired by the Deputy Dean of Research and Innovation FPEP, Dr. Noor Fazlinda Fabeil among others aimed at inspiring the culture of writing  amongst its lecturers, and would be continued in Series 2 in the near future with focus on practical and a session with Editors of selected newspapers. – (fl)

Source: Jakaria Dasan, FPEP

Programme Director, Mohd Farhan Firdaus Jeffri said, the volunteer mission jointly organised with the Student Representatives Council (MPP) and the Student Affairs Department (HEP) brought about successful impact to Kampung (Kg) Bantayan, Tamparuli; Kg. Kindu, Tuaran; Kg. Pukak, Kiulu and Kg. Pengkalan Abai, Kota Kinabalu.

“This programme involving 70 UMS students successfully held a few activities, which included repairing of school huts, pedestrian walkways, road hump, and gotong-royong with the villagers,” he said in a statement.

Firdaus said, the programme which was conducted simultaneously in four villages was held for 3 days with various activities included ‘Bicara Siswa’, which hoped to inspire pupils of primary and secondary schools.

“More interestingly is that UMS student volunteers also organised a medical examination in all four villages involved , in collaboration with the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and the Health Clinic.

“Such programmes should make an impact and lasting impression on students to train themselves to become leaders of student volunteers who will contribute to society and the nation,” he said.

For the record, all student volunteers underwent a Special Action Course (KTK) as physical and mental preparation before joining the volunteerism mission. - (fl)

Source: UMS Student Volunteers Foundation Alumni

WEDNESDAY, 11 MAY – The Biomedical Science and Therapeutic Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FPSK), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) recently held a Community Health Care Programme at Kiulu, Tuaran.

Programme Secretariat, Dr. Nur Zuliani Ramli said, the one-day programme held at the Health Clinic Kiulu, Health Clinic Advisory Panel (PPKK) Kiulu and Healthy Communities (KOSPEN), at Community Hall, Kampung Malangang Baru, Kiulu.

“Themed ‘Jom Sihat Bah’, the programme was participated by about 100 residents from Kampung Tombung, Namadan, Malangan Baru, Malangang Lama, Ponohuon and Kampung Topinahaton,” he said in a statement.

According to him, the programme aimed to provide interactive education and health checks, besides promoting healthy lifestyle among local communities.

“This programme also aimed to establish close relationship between academia, medical officers, staff and public health institutions with the community in Kiulu,” Nur Zuliani added.

Among the activities held included health examination for non-communicable diseases (NCD) such as diabetes and high blood pressure, and to identify individuals who were obese.

Also held was a blood donation campaign by the Tuaran District Hospital, a special session on breast examination for the ladies and poster exhibition on health education on infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and dengue.

Nur Zuliani also added that a health talk focusing on healthy diet for diabetes were also held besides talks on the safe use of drugs by the Kiulu Health Clinic Pharmacy and the Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition, UMS.

The one-day programme was also supported by the Acting Dean of FPSK, Professor Dr. Zainal Arifin Mustapha; Head of Biomedical Science and Therapeutic Department, Professor Dr. Urban John Arnold D’Souza; Organising Chairman, Dr. Kistina Binti Mohamed; Kiulu Health Clinic Director, Dr. Hairunnisa Hashami and the Chairman of PPKK Kiulu, Janih Bangud. – SS (fl)