THURSDAY, 11 DECEMBER – Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) lecturer, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rossita Shapawi was appointed as the new Director of the Borneo Marine Research Institute (IPMB), UMS with effect from 1 December.

Dr. Rossita who previously held the post of Deputy Director (Research and Innovation) at the institute replaced Professor Dr. Saleem Mustafa who held the post before this.

Dr. Rossita who has a Doctor of Philosophy in aquaculture joined UMS in 2001. The post of Deputy Director is held by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sitti Raehanah Mohd. Shaleh.

In addition to the post of IPMB director, several other new appointments in the university’s management position were also seen, among them were Prof. Dr. Charles S. Vairappan who previously held the post of Acting Director of the Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation was appointed to the same position for another two years.

Also appointed was Darwis Awang as the new Head of Student Affairs Department, and Dr. Mohd Azri Ibrahim as the Deputy Dean (Academic and International) at Centre for the Promotion of Knowledge and Language (PPIB), as well as the extension of appointment of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Shuhaimi Md. Yasir as Head of the Seaweed Research Unit, for two years.

All appointments took effect starting this December. – MA (fl)


Media and Citra Division
Chancellery Department
 

WEDNESDAY, 10 DECEMBER – Efforts in giving service in the aspect of education and social among rural communities becomes an important agenda for Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS).

According to UMS Vice-Chancellor, Professor Datuk Dr. Mohd. Harun Abdullah, Ministry of Education (MoE) had ordered every Higher Learning Institution (IPTA) to conduct activities with impact with the community known as the University Community Engagement programme (UCE).

“This UCE activity is a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) for all IPTA in Malaysia. By conducting such activities, the university can fulfill its corporate social responsibility,” he said during the opening ceremony of the Community Engagement Programme and Co-curriculum Carnival at Kampung Sg. Daling, Sandakan, recently.

His speech was read by the Director of Co-curriculum and Student Development Centre (PKPP) UMS, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Raman Noordin.

Datuk Harun added that community programmes such as this should be ongoing to ensure UMS students were included in contributing to rural communities.

“I hope the Co-curriculum and Student Development Centre UMS will continue to plan and implement such programme in efforts to establish and have students engaged in community programmes,” he added.

The three-day programme was filled with motivational activities, cleaning of the mosque, ‘anak angkat’ programme, repair of kindergarten and cultural activities participated by a total of 200 UMS students from Kota Kinabalu main campus and the Faculty of Sustainable Agriculture, Sandakan.

The opening ceremony was officiated by Member of Parliament P.184 Libaran, Datuk Juslie Ajirol representing the Chief Minister of Sabah, Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman. – CD (fl)


Photo: Johaidi Ismail


Media and Citra Division
Chancellery Department
 

WEDNESDAY, 10 DECEMBER – Borneo Marine Research Institute (IPMB) Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) is expected to launch an Aquaculture Partner community come next year.

This was stated by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) UMS, Professor Dr. Shahril Yusof when opening the workshop on Sustainable Aquaculture Industry With the Community Workshop organised by UMS IPMB HiCoe Programme.

According to him, the existence of Aquaculture Partner would provide opportunities for knowledge and research sharing of UMS with the surrounding community and the industry who were involved in aquaculture.

“With the formation of Aquaculture Partner, information can be disseminated to operators better and faster,” he said.

Earlier, Director of IPMB, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rossita Shapawi said the two-day workshop among others, aimed to share expertise in sustainable aquaculture technology to entrepreneurs.

A total of 40 participants from the Fishermen’s Youth Group (KUBENA) Kota Belud, Ko-Nelayan Sabah, Sabah Economic Development Investment Authority (SEDA), Danis Aquaculture, local companies as well as private breeders and fishermen participated in the workshop. – ZMD (fl)


Photo: Asrafuddin Ismail, IPMB


Media and Citra Division
Chancellery Department
 

WEDNESDAY, 9 DECEMBER – Two books published by Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) were chosen as the recipients for the National Book Award 2014 in their respective categories.

The book entitled ‘Principles in Water Analysis for Environmental Science’ written by UMS Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd. Harun Abdullah was adjudged the winner in the Best General Book (Technical Category), at the prize presentation.

Whilst the book entitled ‘Atmosphere and Ocean: An Introduction to Marine Science’, the research results and written by a group of lecturers and researchers of the Borneo Marine Research Institute (IPMB), Than H. Aung, Madihah Jafar Sidik, Dr. Ejria Saleh and Muhammad Ali S. Hussein was nominated the winner in the Best General Book (Science Category).

Both books were chosen after being evaluated by professional panelists of the National Book Awards preceded by Head 1 National Writers Union (GAPENA), Professor Datuk Wira Dr. Abdul Latif Abu Bakar.

Both writers would be feted in a National Book Awards 2014 ceremony in conjunction with Malaysia Book Expo 2014 on 11 December at Dewan Tun Hussein Onn, Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur. – MA (fl)


Media and Citra Division
Chancellery Department