He said, social work was a focus-driven profession that included handling of problems, increasing social functions, and promoting a quality living standard for individuals, families, groups and communities.

”Social work is very important in providing knowledge-based professionals on this job, its values and principles, ethics of the profession and intervention.

“Therefore, the response or appreciation day such as this is necessary to appreciate the work and practices carried out by social workers throughout the world in general and in particular the social workers and social work students of UMS,” he said.

He said this in his speech at the opening of World Social Work Day 2016 state level held at the seminar room of the Faculty of Psychology and Education (FPP), recently.

His speech was read by the Deputy Dean, Academic and Student Affairs of FPP, Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Dahlan Ab. Malek.

Ismail Ali said, during the two-day programme, various activities were planned, which included the sharing of knowledge, blood donation drive, car boot sale, exhibition by non-governmental agencies and organisations as well as programmes with the orphans.

“This programme is a good mechanism to foster better relationship between social workers, lecturers, and students of social work at UMS,” he said.

The programme also had the support of a few government agencies and non-governmental organisations; among them were the Welfare Department, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Thalassaemia Society of Sabah, Sabah Society for the Deaf, Sabah Cheshire Home, Good Shepherd Services, Sabah Society for the Blind and Sabah Mental Health Association.

Present at the ceremony were the Deputy Dean, Student Affairs and Alumni of FPP, Associate Professor Dr. Suyansah Swanto; Head of Social Work Programme, Habibie Hj. Ibrahim; Coordinator of the World Social Work Day 2016, Durin Edward and the Director of the World Social Work Day 2016, Ismah Hanani Zambri. – MA (fl)

THURSDAY, 17 MARCH – Centre for Occupational Safety and Health (PKKP) Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) is conducting talks on occupational safety and health (OSH) awareness in schools around Kota Kinabalu.

According to a statement issued by PKKP, the talks are important for schools as teachers and students spend at least six hours in schools, thus the need to know better on matters pertaining to their safety and health within their surroundings.

The statement also added that OSH programmes in schools are not new as the government had introduced some programmes based on safety and health in the School Health Programme (RKS) since 1967 and Safe School Project in 2002.

The concept of OSH in schools is more holistic and supported by OSHA legislative needs, 1994.

Schools that are interested to organise such talk are welcome to get in touch with the Director of PKKP, Associate Professor Dr. Shamsul Bahari Shamsudin at 088-320000 ext. 1661 or 013-8888004 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The talk is conducted free of charge. – FL

THURSDAY, 17 MARCH – The Student Development Affairs Department, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) recently organised a Students Organisation Management Course (KPOP) 2016 at UMS Labuan International Campus (KAL).

The students were exposed to five main modules namely; conducting a meeting, managing reports, procedures on establishment of a club, paper work processes and financial reporting in addition to a slot on ‘My Student Development Point’ (MySDP) system.

The participants were also exposed to the affairs on the establishment of their respective organisations besides being briefed on the proper procedures of daily administration matters.

Besides at UMSKAL, the same course was also held at the Faculty of Sustainable Agriculture, Sandakan and UMS Kota Kinabalu main campus.

The annual course is a mandatory course for all prospective leaders and newly-established clubs. – (fl)

Source: Student Development Division, JHEP

WEDNESDAY, 16 MARCH – The Borneensis Gallery launched recently would become a new attraction for those who visit Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS).

Located on the second floor of the Institute For Tropical Biology and Conservation (IBTP) building, the gallery houses a wide range of specimen collection of flora and fauna by researchers at UMS.

The launch was also attended by UMS Chairman of the Board of Directors, Tun Zaki Tun Azmi as well as the Vice-Chancellor of UMS, Professor Datuk Dr. Mohd Harun Abdullah and IBTP Director, Professor Dr. Charles Vairappan.

The gallery is open to the public with a fee of between RM5.00 and RM10.00. – SS (fl)