FRIDAY, 6 MAY – The Faculty of Psychology and Education (FPP) Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) recently held a Science and Technology Education Community Programme involving 48 students of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Kota Marudu and SMK Langkon.

According to the programme supervisor, Dr. Siew Nyet Moi @ Sopiah Abdullah, the programme was conducted by students from the Master’s in Education Postgraduate Programme to provide support to students in the rural areas by joining activities in designing as a way to solve problems creatively and in an innovative manner using the STEM concept.

“The postgraduate students act as coordinators, facilitators and assessors, whilst PhD and undergraduate students assisted as facilitator and evaluator to 10 groups for two STEM activities,” she said.

Two activities were conducted during the programme involving problem-solving and existing knowledge to test the creativity of participants.

“The first STEM activity centred around the Sungai Bandau, Kota Marudu bridge, which was dilapidated.  Students worked in groups and identify everyday life problems caused by the situation and submit new invention to overcome these problems.

‘Meanwhile, the second STEM activity centres around the El Nino phenomenon that is currently experienced by the country.  Through these activities, students apply their existing knowledge and past experiences to create a prototype with green technology concept to reduce the impact of El Nino towards the environment and on ourselves,” added Dr. Siew.

She said, as a whole, the programme achieved its objective when students themselves said the programme encouraged them to think out of the box to produce appropriate ideas to solve any problems raised.

Also present were representatives from SMK Kota Marudu, Yusniza Azali and SMK Langkon, Pang Poon King. – (fl)

Source: FPP

Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Professor Datuk Dr. Mohd Harun Abdullah said in the administration of the university for example, the officers would continue to find the best work process so as to avoid bureaucracy.

“For that, the Steering Committee on Quality and Innovation under the Registrar Department can give their support thus instilling the culture of innovation in every staff of the university,” he said in his speech at the University Excellence Awards 2015 held at the Main Lecture Halls 2, this morning.

He further added that to ensure UMS remain competitive and stay relevant, initiatives to improve the university’s image in the international arena should be done by aiming for worldwide recognition.

In the aspect of sustainability, today’s sophisticated world requires its community to think how environmental sustainability could be preserved for future generation.

“Therefore, we must take this opportunity to put UMS in the world map with the EcoCampus concept introduced three years ago.

“I hope the three keywords described above could change minds and attitudes to become excellent.

“Innovative, Relevant and Sustainable, besides UMS motto ‘Strive to Excel’ should be the mainstay as the foundation of UMS’ excellence,” he added. – MA (fl)

Photo: Johaidi Ismail

THURSDAY, 5 MAY – To support the sustainability of EcoCampus, the Student Affairs Department Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) is continuing the Cycling Around Campus Programme that has started since February until today.

According to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni), Associate Professor Dr. Ismail Ali, this campaign was organised to encourage campus community minimise the use of motor vehicles inside the campus by using bicycles as an alternative transportation to attend lectures, mosque or even the library.

“Such programme can bring awareness to the campus community in respecting the environment by reducing the overloading of carbon monoxide emissions from the engines of vehicles.

“Besides that, this programme also aims to cultivate a healthy lifestyle by adopting cycling as a daily routine,” he said.

According to him, the campaign would be implemented at UMS Main Campus, UMS Labuan International Campus and the Faculty of Sustainable Agriculture, Sandakan coordinated by the Student Affairs Department in collaboration with the Sports Centre and UMS Residential Colleges.

To date, a total of 100 bicycles were distributed to three residential colleges, namely Residential College Tun Mustapha, Residential College Tun Fuad and Residential College E. – (fl)

Source: Student Affairs Department

WEDNESDAY, 4 MAY – the Entrepreneurship and Culture Carnival, which started yesterday came alive featuring various activities including the sale and purchase of various products and foodstuff.

Held at the Parade Ground (Padang Kawad), the carnival which is held until Friday is a combination of three events namely Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship Enculturation (APK), Kaamatan Festival and Tiong Hua Festival.

A survey done by UMS Media found that visitors comprising students, staff and the public continued to visit the stalls put up at the carnival.

Among the major attractions included the innovation by students in the preparation of a variety of delicious and attractive food .

The media crew were also impressed by the uniqueness of the handicrafts crafted by the students and sold at reasonable prices.

Meanwhile, Sports Science Programme second year student, Mohd Syaffezh Edham Ahmed when met said that the programme was very helpful especially in giving exposure to students and applying good communication technique with customers.

“At the same time, we can also learn marketing strategies thereby applying the entrepreneurial values in ourselves,” he said at his booth selling grass jelly milk coconut water.

He said the response to their drink sold with another four other friends had been very encouraging with the supplies running out by lunch time on the first day.

More than 150 outlets and exhibition stalls were  set up at the carnival. – SS (fl)