TUESDAY, 09 JULY – The Putrajaya Floria Festival is an annual national programme organised by the Putrajaya Corporation to promote the diversity and beauty of flora and fauna in Malaysia. This programme attracts both local and international communities alike every year. Recently, this programme was held at Taman Putrajaya at Precinct 2 with various activities relating to the world of horticulture and landscape.

With an interesting theme title ‘Orchids: Tropical Treasure’, the organising of this Floria attracted many visitors even though the weather around Putrajaya was hazy and the air quality poor. This year this event was participated by many government bodies including private organisations vying for the many awards and prizes. Among the participants were local authorities, corporate bodies, individual companies, universities and schools.

Many entries were received from universities and other higher learning colleges but only ten universities or colleges would be receiving the cash incentive of RM5,000.00 from the Putrajaya Corporation thus able to showcase their ability and creativity to the visitors. Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) through the School of Sustainable Agriculture (SPL) once again was chosen as one of the recipients of this cash incentive to participate in the University Garden Category. The objective of SPL students participating in the competition this time was to increase their soft skills especially in inventions and building a practical garden, dynamic and established. Besides, their participation would also help to promote UMS and its academic curriculum nationally especially in the field of agriculture.

SPL students participation especially from the Horticulture and Landscape Programme was seen as a way to expose them to the aspects of management and the building of a beautiful and sustainable garden. With their theme ‘Orchids: The Wonderful Secrets Revealed’, this year UMS team built a garden that attracted many visitors because of its uniqueness. UMS team created a garden inspired by a beautiful holiday home with a tropical concept and a lavish spa capturing the imagination of this diverse community, resting their minds while searching for peace.

The air element, bamboo lights and an amazing landscape built by the UMS team itself won the hearts of the judges and was presented with two awards namely ‘Floria Garden Starlight Award’ and ‘Floria Garden Creative Award’.

According to SPL’s Dean, Dr. Sitti Raehanah Muhammad Shaleh, this win not only elevated UMS’ name at the competition but also the School of Sustainable Agriculture in the field of agriculture especially in the horticulture and landscape specialty. They wished to thank the Putrajaya Corporation for organising such event.

Also sharing in their success was SPL Head of Programme for Horticulture and Landscape, Dr. Jupikely James Silip who believed that the field of design and garden creativity would help motivate other students to be an all-round and talented agriculture student.

This statement was supported by ten students who represented UMS this year. They were Normala Daud, Iganatia Ebi, Harniza Ishak, Marziah Ahmad, Siti Hazami Yacob, Nurul Husna, Adzlin Hairi, Mohd Hafizul, Anwar Hazim and Anwar Tawe. All of whom had echoed the same sentiment that they had gathered numerous experience, thus giving them the needed exposure and management concept to help them in their future career.

Their lecturer, Shahida Mohd Sharif said, the participation of SPL students in this competition would add more value and personality building among students in completing their assignments according to the timeframe given.

“I would like to record my appreciation for their effort and commitment in building the garden even though our campus is in Sandakan and faced with many logistics and transportation issues. We would also like to record our gratitude to SPL Field Laboratory staff especially Santy Karim, Khairul Azree, Frederick and Zulkalana for their commitment and assistance in preparing our team for this competition,” he added.

All the hard work had paid off when UMS Garden was visited by the Head of State, Tun Hj. Juhar Mahiruddin and wife, Toh Puan Norlidah Datuk RM Jasni. Their visit and words of encouragement had made the students and staff felt their participation was worth their while and left them with high spirits. – FL

Source: School of Sustainable Agriculture

                                                                                                                               Information and Media Section, Corporate Relations Division

MONDAY, 08 JULY – The 32^nd Commisioning Ceremony of the Reserved Officers Training Unit (PALAPES) was held in full military panache at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) recently. The historical ceremony was a first for Sabah and the whole of Borneo island, and started with a Royal Parade Ceremony which was inspected by Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia (KDYMM) Sultan Muhammad V, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Kelantan DarulNaim.

His Majesty hoped that the newly commissioned cadets would help in serving towards the defence and peace of the nation in facing any threats from outside as well inside the country.

“I want all those who are commissioned today to continue their career either in the permanent force or the Reserved ATM Unit so that the combined strength that we have will not go to a waste,” His Majesty said.

His Majesty also reminded all young officers to continue with the spirit of patriotism to create a love for the country and to deepen their knowledge thus adding values to themselves either spiritually or physically.

“I am confident that with the strength, professionalism and spirit that we have, added by a reserved unit that acts as a second liner, ATM will be able to defend the sovereignty of the country from any threat which may weaken the harmony and safety of this beloved nation,” His Majesty added.

At the ceremony, 1,341 PALAPES cadet officers who were in their full regalia were commissioned, which included 17 from other Higher Learning Institutions (IPTA) and the Malaysian Marine Academy (ALAM) for the permanent force and reserved unit in ATM.   It was a great recognition for the Cadet Officers who successfully completed a 3 month training and now commissioned as Second Lieutenant in the Reserved Unit of the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM).

Also present were the Head of State, Tun Juhar Hj. Mahiruddin; the Chief Minister of Sabah, Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Hj. Aman; Deputy Defence Minister, Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri; Deputy Education Minister 1, Datuk Mary Yap Kain Ching; Armed Forces Commander, General Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd. Zin; Army Commander, General Datuk Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor, UMS Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd. Harun Abdullah and Senior Officers of this EcoCampus University. – FL

By: Faezah Mohamad Dun
Photo:Martubat Jamlan
                                                                                                                                      Information and Media Section, Corporate Relations Division                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

WEDNESDAY, 03 JULY – In line with Universiti Malaysia Sabah’s (UMS) continuous efforts through its innovative, relevant and sustainable concept, has set up a Sustainable Palm Oil Research (SPOR) Unit in an effort to steer its EcoCampus concept to correspond with the researches which is environment-friendly in nature.

In officiating the Unit, Deputy Chief Minister cum Minister of Industrial Development, Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah, the nation’s revenue from products based on palm oil amounted to RM80.4 billion in 2011 and expected to increase to RM103.9 billion in 2020.

Even with the significant achievement, the palm industry experience many obstacles including efforts to increase the palm oil productivity with the same size of land. This situation is worsening given the number of agricultural land which seems to be declining.

”Contamination in the form of industrial wastes, threats on wildlife, increasing transmission of diseases to the crops are among issues which should be given serious attention by the SPOR Unit,” he said.

He added that the government is seriously looking into this industry where it is among the 12 National Key Economic Area (NKEA) listed to increase the nation’s economy to that of developed countries by the year 2020.

“My hope is that with the setting up of SPOR, it would be a good platform to extend this research cooperation between UMS and Palm industries in Sabah towards control issues and challenges relating to the palm industries in this state,” he added.

UMS Vice-Chancellor Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd Harun Abdullah said the setting up of this unit was UMS’ initiatives through the School of Science and Technology (SST) to work together with the palm industries in efforts to increase the research quality relating to palm and the issues of sustainable especially in Sabah and Malaysia in general.

“SPOR is unique because it emphasises on the research principles which are resilient and comprehensive starting from the planting level to the issues of environment,” he said.

At the function, SPOR received another two more research funds project from the Malaysian Palm Oil Board amounting to RM13,000 which was presented by the MPOB Deputy Director (Research and Development), Dr. Ahmad Kushairi Din. Also present were Head Librarian UMS, Puan Dayang Rukiah Ag. Amit and SST Dean, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Baba Musta. – FL

By: Faezah Mohamad Dun
Photo: Musaab Umair
                                                                                                                               Information and Media Section, Corporate Relations Division

TUESDAY, 02 JULY – Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) welcomed the visit by the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) delegation, the main committee, commandant officers and cadet officers who will be commissioned, to a get-together dinner in conjunction with the 32^nd Reserve Officers Training Unit (PALAPES) Commissioning this Saturday.

UMS Vice-Chancellor, Kept (K) Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd. Harun Abdullah said the mandate given by ATM to UMS to be the host this time is received enthusiastically and UMS will ensure the smooth flow of the grand ceremony as well as ensuring that its objective is achieved.   

“As a concerned Public Institution of Higher Learning (IPTA), UMS has always been supporting and helping in producing human resource in the field of military service and officers who are not only excellent academically but also in their personality,” he said.

He said the high level of discipline and moral values added with good personality and a commendable leadership were among the criteria of each cadet officers to someday be a graduate of high quality and a valuable asset to religion, race and the nation.

The Lahad Datu intrusion tragedy was an act that could help push the cadet officers to shoulder their responsibilities and to ensure that there will not be another intrusion from outsiders.

“Let the young play their role in ensuring safety to this nation without relying on foreign powers that might take advantage of the situation.  We are able to stand on our own and be on par with other developing countries from the aspect of military and the safety of our country,” Datuk Harun further added.

The dinner was packed with dance presentation and singing by students of the School of Arts Studies UMS, and local Sabah artist, Felix Agus.  Also present were the Director of the Planning and Development Management Headquarters Army Training Brig. Gen. Dato’ Abu Musa Hj. A. Rahman and Senior Officers of the University. - FL

By: Faezah Mohamad Dun
Photo: Musaab Umair