By Salbinous Saribun

WEDNESDAY, 26 AUGUST – The Third Country Training Programme (TCTP) 2015 was further strengthened coordinated by the Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation (IBTP) Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), said State Secretary of Sabah, Tan Sri Sukarti Wakiman.

He said, Sabah would continue to consistently be the international training venue for integrated biodiversity and ecosystem management.

“I believe the participants of this programme also benefited through the shared experience, knowledge and skills whilst in Sabah,” he said in his speech at the closing of TCTP 2015.

His speech was read by Deputy State Secretary (Development), Datuk Joseph Guntavid.

Earlier, IBTP Director, Professor Dr. Charles Santhanaraju Vairappan announced that a total of 17 countries with more than 52 foreign government agencies had benefitted from Sabah’s success in integrating all stakeholders in the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems.

The 22-day programme organised in collaboration with the Natural Resources Office (NRO), the Foreign Ministry and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

22-day program was organized in collaboration with the Office of Natural Resources State (NRO), the Foreign Ministry and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Also present were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Student Affairs and Alumni, Associate Professor Dr. Ismail Ali and JICA Malaysia representative, Shinobu Yoshizawa. – (fl)

By Salbinous Saribun

WEDNESDAY, 26 AUGUST – A total of 159 participants participated in the Auxiliary Police Symposium Sabah Zone, which ended today at the Postgraduate Auditorium, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS).

Of these number, 34 participants were from UMS, whilst the rest were from other agencies such as Bank Simpanan Nasional, Sabah Ports Authority and Sabah Electricity Board Sdn Bhd.

The closing ceremony of the symposium organised by the Department of Crime Prevention and Community Safety (JPJKK) Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) was officiated by the Chief Assistant Director of Support Resources Coordination of JPJKK, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police (SAC) Saiful Azly Hj. Kamaruddin, representing the Commissioner of Police (CP) Dato’ Acryl Sani Haji Abdullah Sani.

Dato’ Acryl in his speech read by Saiful urged all to utilise all the knowledge they acquired at the two-day symposium to be put into practice when they report for duty at their respective agencies.

“Upon returning to your respective workplace, please share with your other friends who are not able to attend this symposium all the knowledge you have gained for the benefit of all,” he said.

He also informed that the symposium was organised as a platform to promote integrity besides creating an opportunity to strengthen the relationship among participants and know one another.

Also present at the symposium was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Student Affairs and Alumni (HEPA) cum Commandant of the Student Voluntary Police Corps (SUKSIS) UMS, Associate Professor Dr. Ismail Ali. – (fl)

Recently, a lecturer of UMS from the Faculty of International Finance Labuan won two world-class awards through her writing in high-impact journals.

Associate Professor Dr. Norazah Mohd Suki received the ‘Winners of the Seventh Annual Awards Excellence in Research Journal’ Award, through her journal writing entitled ‘Investigating the Measurement of Ecological Consumer Behaviour, Environmental Knowledge, Healthy Food, and Healthy Way of Life’.

Her achievement is quite remarkable as this sole Malaysian lecturer won the award along with some other lecturers from leading universities such as University of Oxford, Florida International University, University of Freiburg, Germany and National Taiwan Normal University.

The selection of award recipients by IGI Global was based on originality of research, practical research, the quality of writing, substantive and methodological research.

Dr. Norazah also brought honour to the university when her writing in the Islamic Marketing Journal was adjudged the winner of the EMERALD Awards for Excellence 2015 – Highly Commended Paper.

She received the award along with two other lecturers from Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand.

Grateful for all the encouragement and motivation especially from UMS Vice-Chancellor, Professor Datuk Dr. Mohd Harun Abdullah, Dr. Norazah was also determined to continue to be active in conducting research and contributes to writing in high-impact journals as her contribution to society and the country.

"Achievements and acceptance of such awards were not the main goal, but I believe this is the bonus given by Allah SWT to those who are diligent and committed to their work," she added.

“I am very grateful for this recognition and it will for sure be a morale booster for me to continue achieving excellence and contribute to this university,” said Dr. Norazah who is known to be serious but friendly. – SS (fl)

Media and Citra Division

By Faezah Mohamad Dun

FRIDAY, 21 AUGUST – Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) booth was among the focus at the Sabah History of Transformation and Development which took place at one of the leading shopping centres in Kota Kinabalu.

Visitors flocked to view the exhibits which covered books and some research results related to the history of the state.

The exhibition was held in conjunciton with the National Month Sabah-State Level Celebrations 2015 which saw 19 other booths occupied by ministries, departments and government agencies that took part in the celebrations this year.

A spokesman from the organiser, the State Archives Department said the exhibition aimed to evoke the spirit of nationalism amongs the community towards their homeland by promoting awareness of their heritage and country in a record format.

The exhibition started since 15 August and showcased the progress of the development and transformation of Sabah since 1963.

The two-week exhibition was officiated yesterday by the Minister of Local Government and Housing, Datuk Haji Hajiji Haji Noor. – (fl)