KOTA KINABALU – A delegation from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) consisting of Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) students (Cohort 2021/2024) and two senior lecturers, Dr. Mohd Faizal Madrim and Dr. Zulkhairul Naim Sidek Ahmad from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) visited the College of Public Health, University of the Philippines, Manila (CPH-UPM), and the Western Pacific Region Office of World Health Organisation (WHO) recently.

According to Mohd Faizal, the primary objective of this visit was to enhance the knowledge of the DrPH students on public health practises as well as programmes or services in public health that are being implemented in the Philippines and to share experiences, thoughts, or new ideas between the two universities.

“During the visit, the team engaged in various activities and discussions with the members of CPH-UPM, and the Western Pacific Region Office of WHO.

“The team had the opportunity to learn about the innovative public health programmes being implemented in the Philippines and the challenges faced in the implementation process, and also shared their experiences and ideas on public health practises in Malaysia,” he said.

He added that the two universities’ exchange of ideas and experiences resulted in fruitful discussions and the planning of future collaborative works.

“Both universities expressed interest in continuing to work together in the future to address public health issues that are common to both countries.

“In conclusion, the visit was successful in achieving its main objective of enhancing the knowledge of the DrPH students on public health practises as well as programmes or services in public health that are being implemented in the Philippines and sharing experiences, thoughts, or new ideas between the two universities,” said Mohd Faizal, who also hoping that this visit could sparked the idea for future collaborative projects.

KOTA KINABALU: Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Vice Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Kasim Hj Mansor has reminded students to be vigilant and avoid risky activities during bad weather.

Kasim said UMS students and staff need to be aware of the current weather situation to avoid unwanted incidents.

"At the moment, heavy rains accompanied by thunderstorms often occur in the evening resulting in several slippery roads while some areas were flooded.

 "Therefore, it is advisable to avoid any activities near rivers or near hills which could cause a landslide," he said in a statement recently.

Kasim also advised staff and students who live outside campus to always be careful when driving on the road.

He said many UMS staff reside in various districts while some travel back and forth for up to two hours every day.

"Last night (Monday) several areas in Penampang, Inanam and Kiulu were flooded while landslides were reported to have occurred in some areas.

"Therefore, if any staff members experience any emergencies, please contact the head of their respective department. At a time like this, safety is our priority," he said.

Kasim also reminded students to always stay alert and be careful to avoid unwanted incidents.

As the final exam of the 2022/2023 semester coincidentally falls during the raining season, he urged students who are affected by the flood to contact their lecturer, faculty management, Department of Student Affairs or the Student Representative Council.

"The university will always try to help the students while ensuring that no one drops out from taking the exam," he said.

The Malaysia Meteorological Department on Monday had issued a warning of continuous rainfall in Sabah and Sarawak until this Friday.

Thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds are also expected to occur in the interior and west of Sabah in the afternoon and at night until Wednesday.

KOTA KINABALU: The visit of the Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia, Takahashi Katsuhiko to the Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Mosque recently is a manifestation of the close relationship between Japan and UMS.

Takahashi and his wife were welcomed to the UMS Mosque, also known as ‘The Pink Mosque’, by the director of the Center for Internationalization and Global Engagement (PPPG), Associate Professor Dr Wardatul Akmam Din.

According to Wardatul, the close relationship between the Japanese government and UMS has been established for a long time through various collaborations.

“Since 2019, a total of 20 universities in Japan have signed several letters of intent (LoI) and memorandums of understanding (MoU) in the academic field with UMS.

“The collaboration is related to student mobility and research activities that involve providing funds to UMS researchers, as well as staff mobility,” she said.

She added that the infrastructure provided by UMS, especially in the marine field, had successfully attracted the interest of Kindai University, which witnessed a collaboration with the university.

“Most recently, a strategic cooperation relationship was also signed in the field of social sciences between UMS and Nagasaki University involving the mobility of academics from the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities.

“UMS always strives to form strategic collaborations with foreign university partners in promoting UMS as an educational hub, especially in the Borneo region.

“With the diversity of flora and fauna and having a unique culture inhabited by more than 40 ethnics in the state of Sabah, this is one of the natural attractions that UMS can offer to researchers and students who want to experience new things,” she said.

Wardatul also informed that as of 2022 nine Japanese students have graduated from UMS while more than 100 people have followed the academic mobility and edutourism program offered by the university.

“We will always open space and opportunities to increase the number of mobility students from Japan,” she said.

During the visit, Takahashi also visited Hatchery, the Borneo Marine Research Institute.

KOTA KINABALU: The Community Garden Project is a collaboration between the Faculty of Psychology and Education (FPE) of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) together with five other organisations to improve the psychological well-being of the younger generation.

According to coordinator, Dr. Getrude Cosmas, who is a senior lecturer at FPP, the project is a platform that can expose young people to improve skills and knowledge about gardening activities.

“This Community Garden project is carried out in collaboration with UMS together with the Sabah Community Services Council (MPMS), Sabah Psychosocial Association, Kaiduan Agriculture Training Center (KATC), SK. Kaiduan, Papar and WRS 4x4 Club with funding from MPMS through the 2022 Children’s Social Programme Grant.

“Soft skills such as group work, interpersonal and communication, are also applied to help improve the psychological well-being of SK Kaiduan students, UMS students and other participants,” he said.

It was held in conjunction with the Christmas and New Year celebrations together with colleagues involved in the Community Garden Project at KATC, recently.

Some 73 participants had the opportunity to clean the plant site, sow, fertilise, put soil in polybags and plant various types of vegetables such as cherry tomatoes, mustard, sweet vegetables, white pumpkin, red spinach, sweet potatoes and eggplant.

“Apart from farming, the participants representing various organisations had the opportunity to interact and get to know each other through the activities.

Among the highlights of the event included gardening activity at Taman HIP (Highly Immersive Program) at SK Kaiduan, colouring activity for students (Years 2 to 4) and a story composing activity (Years 5 and 6),” he said.

“This event is a sign of appreciation to all participants, including 34 SK Kaiduan students and five KATC staff.

“A teacher from Mara Junior College of Science (MRSM), Jolifulizan Jais, shared about the opportunities and requirements for admission to MRSM,” he said.

He added that UMS and MRSM had the opportunity to donate gifts in the form of bags and stationery to students.

“It is hoped that this collaboration programme between various agencies will be able to continue in the future with the goal of improving the well-being of students in the interior parts of Sabah,” said Gertrude.

Also present were SK Kaiduan Headmaster Uzair Kee Yahya; Kaiduan Eco-Farm Manager Rebekah Alpeus; and FPP lecturer Dr Patricia Joseph Kimong.