By Salbinous Saribun

TUESDAY, 24 NOVEMBER – Born partially blind in both eyes, Lim Han Chiet, 24, never felt ostracised, in fact it spurred him towards achieving success and facing what the world has to offer.

For this Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) graduate, he faces this test with an open heart and never made his ‘disability’ the reason in achieving success in education.

This young lad from Sungai Petani, Kedah, said the disability was used as a challenge to be successful like others and in turn made it as his best motivation to spur on.

“This disability has made me stronger.  I do not want to succumb to this shortcoming.  I want to be as successful as any other normal human being.

“In fact, I want to be the best model for my two siblings, one who is now on police training and another one taking the Malaysian Higher School Certificate (STPM).  Despite facing physical difficulties, his fighting spirit never wavers,” he said when met during UMS 17^th Convocation Ceremony.

He said, he aspired to become a lecturer who would contribute in educating society thus proving that those with disabilities (OKU) should not make it an obstacle for them to achieve success at the highest level.

In addition to using a special magnifying lens to help him study, Lim Han Chiet also downloaded software that could be used for him to directly ‘read’. – (fl)

By Salbinous Saribun

TUESDAY, 24 NOVEMBER –Being inquisitive is the key to success for Haku Josh Kim Tae Hoo, 46 from Korea who obtained excellent results when he achieved a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.92.

He said, the education system in UMS that uses bahasa Malaysia other than English language forced him to be more inquisitive whenever lectures were conducted.

“I felt that other students were annoyed with my actions, when I had to interrupt the class, which was a distraction to other students who were attentively listening to the lectures.

“I am the oldest student in the class, and the one asking so many questions,” he said while joking about his experience in studying for his Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Visual Arts Technology.

Haku Josh said, he was very lucky to be able to get assistance from his course mates especially in finishing all the assignments given.

Asked why he chose UMS as his choice for study, he said, initially he was here to teach music but was recommended by a lecturer to continue his studies in visual arts technology.

He said, besides fulfilling the suggestion by the lecturer, he had great interest in the field of arts including producing songs for singers in Korea. – (fl)

By Salbinous Saribun

MONDAY, 23 NOVEMBER – With a sincere intention to educate and a strong commitment to share his knowledge with the young despite suffering from brain haemorrhage that attacked his central nervous system due to high blood pressure.

Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) graduate, Jackues Mark J. Elip, an English teacher at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Inanam Laut is not discouraged to continue teaching despite his impediment that struck him while he was driving on 7 August, and is now classified as a disabled (OKU).

He was met with his wife, sister and friends after receiving his scroll for the Graduate Teacher Programme at UMS 17^th Convocation ceremony.

According to Jackues’ wife, Sylvia Kee Yin, her husband has limited mobility due to the incident and has only 70 percent ability in speaking, but that does not discourage him from continuing with his passion for the sake of the young generation.

“After more than 11 years of teaching, education remains in my heart.  I have no intention to stop teaching or to be at the District Education Office (PPD) although faced with limited mobility,” he said.

In addition to limited movement and speech, the 35 year old teacher also is now on wheelchair. – (fl)

THURSDAY, 19 NOVEMBER – UMS Press once again shines at the National Book Award 2015 when it brought Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) to media attention for being chosen as the recipient for the Best Premier Award (Government Agency).

The selection process was done by the National Book Award Professional  Panel, chaired by Datuk Wira Dr Abdul Latif Abu Bakar who is also the Head 1 of GAPENA.

The criteria taken into account in the selection process included amongst others, the quality of publication and the number of publications.

The National Book Award was organised by the National Book Development Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) established in accordance with the government’s desire to develop the reading culture so that Malaysians would always be ahead in information, knowledge and know-how.

The National Book Award is open to all writers, publishers and book industry players to be given due recognition and incentives.  For the year 2015, more than 30 categories were introduced.

The award presentation ceremony was held on 26 November 2015 and was officiated by the Deputy Prime Minister, Dato’ Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid bin Hamidi, at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC).

The event is held in conjunction with the Malaysia Book Expo, which is held from 25-29 November 2015, organised by the National Book Development Foundation in collaboration with Universiti Kuala Lumpur, GAPENA, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) and the National Library. – (fl)

Source: Anicius Justin Adeh, Publications Officer, UMS Publisher