FRIDAY, 28 AUGUST – Committee Members of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) General Staff Union (KEKAUMAS) have lined up a number of programmes until the end of 2015.

Its President, Amat Jutrah Haji Musnih said, the programmes have been neatly drawn up after fine-tuning some technical glitches.

He said, among the programmes lined up were courtesy calls to every Department, Faculty, Unit and Institute in all areas where support staff are placed, organising of seminars, sports activities among KEKAUMAS and family day.

“The KEKAUMAS Tour started on 24 August with a meeting with staff from every department at its main campus, UMS Labuan International Campus and Sandakan,” he said.

Meanwhile, the games organised included a KEKAUMAS President’s Cup Badminton Championship, which is opened to all members.

Entries for the championship will be made available, or through the Vice President of KEKAUMAS, Abdul Jalil Sapli.

Amat said, such activities would strengthen the relationship amongst all its members including the exchange of ideas for the development of the union. – SS (fl) 
Source: Azri Onn

By Salbinous Saribun

THURSDAY , 27 AUGUST – Knowledge is very important in the process of self-development, organisation, nation and civilisation, said the Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Professor Datuk Dr. Mohd Harun Abdullah.

Hence, he said, education and the appreciation of knowledge should always be upheld throughout our lives.

“I hope, with the knowledge and experience acquired while under the Science Foundation could be put to good use in everyday life,” he said in his speech during the Science Foundation Certificate Presentation Ceremony, which was read by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Student Affairs and Alumni, Associate Professor Dr. Ismail Ali.

Datuk Harun said, in whatever fields we endeavour, students must demonstrate the values of excellence in terms of personality and the ability to interact with society.

“The success we achieved not only to used to seize the opportunity to further our studies at degree level, but also can be utilised on the surrounding communities for the preservation of life,” he added.

Held today at Dewan Resital (Recital Hall) UMS, Dr. Ismail also presented certificates to 310 students who have successfully completed the Science Foundation Programme for the 2014/2015 Session.

The Director of the Centre for the Preparatory of Science and Technology, Associate Professor Dr. Sazmal Effendi Arshad and Chief Librarian, Dg. Rukiah Ag. Amit. – (fl) 
Photo: Vanessa Nessa

THURSDAY, 27 AUGUST – The Commanding Officer of the 16 Royal Malay Regiment (RAMD), Feriland Camp, Tanjung Aru, Lieutenant Colonel Mohd Balkhishah Baharuddin paid a courtesy call to the Director of Universiti Malaysia Sabah Labuan International Campus (UMSKAL), Associate Professor Dr. Murnizam Haji Halik in the latter’s office, yesterday.

Also present were the Assistant Director, Associate Professor Dr. Geoffrey Harvey Tanakinjal; 16 RAMD Medical Officer, Captain Dr. Nur Suhana Zainal Adzman and Administrative Officer, Captain Dzakaria Mohd Dzahar.

Dr. Murnizam said, UMS had a long-standing relationship and cooperation with the 16 RAMD in organising various successful programmes especially those involving UMS Labuan students.

He said, UMSKAL through its Student Affairs Division, Faculty of International Finance Labuan (FKAL) and Faculty of Computing and Informatics (FKI) have been conducting programmes involving government departments and agencies, primary and secondary schools, private sector, Non-governmental Organisation (NGO) and the village communities of the Federal Territory of Labuan.

Thus, he welcomed the presence of the 16 RAMD officers and their staff to conduct military activities such as unarmed combat performances and cooking demonstrations to attract students to join the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM).

Dr. Murnizam also extended his invitation to staff of the 16 RAMD to UMSKAL Tamu Gadang, which will be held in November. – SS (fl) 
Source: Azri Onn

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)