MONDAY, 17 AUGUST - Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) held a registration and introduction session for new students of UMS in-house English language program, Progressive English Program (PEP).

According to UMS Vice Chancellor, Prof. Datuk ChM. Dr. Taufiq Yap Yun Hin, this is the sixth cohort and it will be conduct fully online for the first time, with a total of 24 students from China have attended and registered, and the duration of the program is for twenty one weeks.

“This PEP Program registration is the second program receiving their new batch of international students after UMS Foundation for Science and Technology which had their registration from the 3rd to 7th of this month.

“This is the 6th group since the PEP program was launched at UMS in August 2018.

“However, this program has gone through many improvements and evolutions over the year, with the first English language program was named the Intensive English Language Program (IELP) started in 2004 which conducted by the Centre for the Promotion of Knowledge and Language Learning.

“Then it is changed to the International Students' Foundation Program (ISFP) and has now been substantially improved and named the Progressive English Program (PEP),” he said.

Datuk Dr. Taufiq Yap added that, the emergence of the Covid-19 Pandemic which causes almost worldwide blockade of movement did not limit UMS from continuing the recruitment of international students by pursuing online studies and virtual learning platforms.

“Various adaptations of technology and applications have been made in promoting a more interactive and effective virtual academic learning platforms as the “new normal”.

“Although Remote Online Teaching and Learning may seem new to us all, UMS believes the younger generation are arguably digital natives, whom are able to easily adapt to such a digital transformation, with minimal hassle,” Datuk Dr. Taufiq Yap said.

He also noted that this sixth group of PEP program will be held virtually in terms of lectures, tutorials and final exams.

“After completing this program, students who pass any of the accepted language proficiency certificates will continue their studies at the undergraduate or postgraduate level at UMS.

“The university is also currently planning to introduce this program to other foreign countries in the future, since this programme right now focusing on recruitment from China student,” he said.

Besides the introductory session with Datuk Dr. Taufiq Yap, the 24 student involved also having the discussion and registration session with Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic and International), Prof. Dr. Rasid Mail; Director of the Centre for Internationalisation and Global Engagement (PPPG), Prof. Dr. Ho Chong Mun; PPIB Dean, Associate Professor Dr. Lai Yew Meng; and several lecturer.

FRIDAY, 14 AUGUST - Kampus Kita FM Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) with frequency of 91.1 FM, under the slot ‘Bersama Pakar Perubatan’ has brought in for the first time a medical student during the knowledge sharing session.

Hosted by Arnawih Ginsing, the radio show invited Shivendra A/L Ravi, a medical student from Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS), to shared his medical knowledge and perspective as a university student with a topic entitled ‘Ayuh Kawan-kawan, Mari Kita Tangani Stress sebagai Pelajar Universiti. 

According to Shivendra, the stress among students is unique and not the same from one student to another.

For example, he said someone who lives nearby will suffer less financial constraint compared to those who reside further.

“A student with an 'extrovert' personality is likely to fair better socially in contrast to an 'introvert' person.

“It is important to cope stress efficiently to ensure healthy mental state,’ informed Shivendra.

He also mentioned that two major ways that students could adopt in managing their stress are to invest time in passionate hobbies and lead a healthy lifestyle.

‘Diverting yourself away from the stress by doing activities that you love not only helps to get yourself away from the stress, but allows ample time for your body, mind and soul to rest and calm.

A well-rested physical and psychological states permit oneself to be focused and re-organise works, hence we are more disciplined and effective,’ added Shivendra.

He urged his peer colleagues to stay active, eat healthily and maintain sufficient quality sleep.

‘Serotonin, an emotional-controlled hormone is heavily influenced by the physical exercise, balanced diet and the amount of sleep, while disturbing these would affect this hormone production.

It is also important to maintain good relationship with friends and peers, as they are your trusted persons for you to express your concerns and fears,” Shivendra said.

He added that performing these coping mechanism are made feasible if oneself emphasises on time management.

‘I believe that one of the most basic skills that a student has to acquire is time management.

It is one of the most efficient techniques to remediate and reduce the level of stress,’ Shivendra said at the end of the talk.

This bold initiative was initiated through a collaborative effort by Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Heritage and the Department of Medical Education, FMHS.

Meanwhile, the Head of Department of Medical Education, FMHS, Dr. Fatimah Ahmedy explain that this bold initiative was initiated since 2018 through a collaborative effort by Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Heritage and the Department of Medical Education, FMHS.

 ‘This is a great platform for UMS to showcase our quality medical students, which aligned with the university vision, these medical students are moulded to be the next generation of doctors for the society.

“Hence training them as the peer health coaches under direct mentoring by the faculty would enhance their confidence towards that objective,’ said Dr Fatimah.

The radio programme producer, Norhazimah Radik also agreed that such approach allows positive promotion to the university and the radio show.

We believe this would garner more listeners especially from the younger generations as they feel more related while appreciate the expertise and knowledge shared in the radio talk,” Norhazimah concluded.

RABU, 12 OGOS - Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) telah merangka pelbagai usaha berterusan bagi memastikan para pelajarnya terdedah kepada bidang keusahawanan.

Antara usaha tersebut adalah penubuhan kelab keusahawanan dalam kalangan pelajar, sesi pengenalan entiti-entiti yang mengendalikan hal ehwal keusahawanan di UMS semasa kemasukan pelajar baharu, siri lawatan industri serta siri Entrepreneurial Talk.

Naib Canselor UMS, Prof. Datuk ChM. Dr. Taufiq Yap Yun Hin berkata, peluang perniagaan kepada pelajar turut diberikan untuk menilai tahap penerimaan ilmu keusahawanan yang telah dipelajari.

“UMS telah menyediakan beberapa platform perniagaan kepada pelajar antaranya MyBest Buy@ Tamu Fama, bazar Ramadan, Tamu Gadang dan kursus Digital Entrepreneur.

“Tidak terhenti setakat itu sahaja, UMS juga membuka ruang kepada pelajar menterjemahkan ilmu yang diperoleh kepada pemain industri di Sabah menerusi program yang disusun oleh Jabatan Hal Ehwal Pelajar (JHEP),” katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian semasa berucap sempena Majlis Lawatan Program Keusahawanan Institusi Pengajian Tinggi (Zon Sabah) oleh Timbalan Menteri Pengajian Tinggi Malaysia, Dato’ Mansor Othman di Bangunan Canselori, UMS baru-baru ini.

Datuk Dr. Taufiq Yap menambah, selain itu, Program Business Pitching buat julung kali telah diadakan pada 11 Mac lalu bagi memberi peluang kepada pelajar UMS membentangkan idea keusahawanan dan pelan perniagaan kepada panel industri dilantik.

“Hasilnya, dua orang pelajar UMS telah dipilih oleh pihak industri penganjur untuk bekerjasama dan menjadikan idea yang dibentang sebagai realiti,” katanya.

Jalinan kerjasama UMS dengan pemain industri khususnya di Sabah dan Malaysia amnya bersama persatuan turut dirangka sebagai salah satu inisiatif UMS bagi membuka peluang kepada pelajar menjadi sebahagian daripada pemain industri.

“Inisiatif jaringan kerjasama ini antaranya dicapai menerusi surat niat antara Kelab Keusahawanan UMS bersama Persatuan Usahawan Maju Malaysia (PUMM), manakala satu Memorandum Persefahaman pula akan dilaksanakan pada 21 Ogos 2020 antara UMS bersama Celcom Axiata Sdn Bhd,” kata Datuk Dr. Taufiq Yap.

Ujar beliau, UMS berhasrat melahirkan graduan yang bukan sahaja boleh menyumbang kepakaran dalam sektor awam dan swasta, lebih pada itu berusaha melahirkan ramai usahawan yang tidak bergantung pada dana kerajaan semata-mata.

Pada program lawatan tersebut, Datuk Dr Taufiq Yap bersama-sama pegawai utama dan kanan UMS kemudiannya membawa Dato’ Mansor untuk melawat beberapa fasiliti yang terdapat di UMS antaranya Hatcheri Ikan, Pantai ODEC, dan Pusat Maklumat Pelawat EcoCampus (EVIC).

RABU, 5 OGOS - Pengerusi Lembaga Pengarah Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun menggesa para kakitangan UMS untuk bekerja sebagai satu pasukan bagi mencapai matlamat dan misi universiti untuk bergerak ke hadapan.

Katanya, setiap matlamat yang digariskan akan lebih mudah dizahirkan sekiranya setiap kakitangan dapat menetapkan pemikiran bahawa tugas dan tanggungjawab yang digalas di universiti ini adalah sebagai satu ibadah yang dikerjakan untuk mendapat pahala dan kebaikan.

“Di UMS seharusnya tidak ada pasukan lain dalam pentadbiran, semua harus bekerja sebagai ‘Team UMS’, kerana pada akhirnya universiti ini adalah berkenaan kita semua.

“Kita harus melihat universiti ini melepasi kepentingan diri sendiri bagi memacu universiti terus ke hadapan.

“Kita juga mampu melakukan tugas dengan baik untuk universiti sekiranya kita menganggap apa yang dikerjakan sebagai satu ibadah,” katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika berucap dalam satu Majlis Bersama Pengerusi LPU yang dihadiri oleh pegawai-pegawai utama serta ketua-ketua jabatan UMS di Bangunan Canselori, pagi tadi.

Datuk Seri Masidi menambah, menjadikan setiap tugasan seharian sebagai satu hobi juga membantu diri setiap pekerja untuk lebih mencintai pekerjaan serta berusaha untuk perkembangan diri dalam kerjaya.

“Apabila sesuatu yang dikerjakan itu menjadi hobi, kita lebih cenderung untuk terus melakukan kajian dan penggalian ilmu terhadap sesuatu yang kita minati, dan ini sekali gus membantu dalam perkembangan potensi diri,” katanya.

Beliau turut menyeru kakitangan sama ada kakitangan akademik mahupun pentadbiran agar membudayakan prinsip dahagakan ilmu.

“Adalah lebih baik sekiranya seseorang pensyarah untuk mempunyai pengetahuan terhadap pelbagai disiplin ilmu berbanding kepakaran yang sedia ada,” ujar Datuk Seri Masidi.

Dalam pada itu, Datuk Seri Masidi turut bersetuju dengan pendekatan UMS untuk memfokuskan beberapa nic penyelidikan seperti yang dinyatakan oleh Naib Canselor UMS, Prof. Datuk ChM. Dr. Taufiq Yap Yun Hin, khususnya kajian berkaitan pertanian pintar.

“Negeri Sabah mempunyai tanah yang luas untuk bidang pertanian, dan ini adalah satu usaha yang baik bukan sahaja untuk universiti meneroka peluang terhadap bidang pertanian, tetapi turut menjadi peneraju bagi membuka minda petani serta menggalakkan petani muda dalam aspek pertanian moden.

“Amat penting untuk universiti mengkaji pelbagai alternatif tanaman makanan, kerana sebagai contoh kira-kira 70% beras di Malaysia diimport dari luar negara, dan bekalan makanan akan terjejas sekiranya aktiviti perdagangan atau hubungan dua hala dengan negara luar terjejas,” kata Datuk Seri Masidi.

Pada majlis tersebut, Datuk Seri Masidi turut berkesempatan menyempurnakan pelancaran Bulan Kebangsaan dan Kempen Kibar Jalur Gemilang Peringkat UMS, serta bersama-sama Datuk Dr. Taufiq Yap, pegawai-pegawai utama UMS dan kakitangan UMS melafazkan ikrar Rukun Negara.