In a continued effort to elevate its global standing, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) has expanded its international academic engagement with a high-level courtesy visit to Yildiz Technical University (YTU) — a premier institution in Türkiye with a proud legacy dating back to 1911 and currently listed among the QS World University Rankings 2025 (851–900).

According to a statement by UMS, the visit which was led by UMS Vice-Chancellor Prof. Datuk Dr. Kasim Mansor reaffirmed both universities’ shared commitment to a deeper, more targeted partnership rooted in academic excellence, research innovation, and internationalization.

Hosted by Chief Advisor to the Rector of YTU, Professor Dr. Özer Çınar, the engagement was marked by a renewed sense of purpose: to translate shared aspirations into measurable outcomes.

“YTU, long respected for its strength in engineering and applied sciences, is a natural counterpart for UMS — particularly as the Sabah-based university positions itself as a leader in tropical research, sustainable technology, and regional innovation.

“The discussions between the two institutions revolved around deepening collaborative research in new materials, green technologies, and water and wastewater treatment, reflecting mutual strengths and regional needs,” according to the statement.

The statement mentioned that both sides agreed to expand academic cooperation beyond conventional frameworks.

“The extended Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will now include lecturer exchange programmes, postgraduate student co-supervision, and mobility opportunities for undergraduate and postgraduate students — paving the way for more dynamic knowledge exchange and global classroom experiences.

“The collaboration also opens doors to joint grant applications and co-investment in high-impact research, allowing both institutions to harness funding from governments, industries, and multilateral bodies.

“This approach not only supports scientific advancement but also amplifies the societal value of academic research on a global scale,” the statement noted.

Beyond academic discussions, the UMS delegation participated in YTU’s International Culture Festival — a colorful, meaningful celebration of global diversity and cultural diplomacy.

The festival served as a reminder that partnerships between universities are not solely about science and scholarship, but also about building human bridges across borders and traditions.

The engagement with Yildiz Technical University underscores UMS’s broader ambition, which is to become a globally engaged tropical university that fosters not only academic excellence but also intercultural understanding, regional leadership, and globally relevant solutions.

Through strategic alliances like this, UMS continues to shape its future on the world stage — confidently, collaboratively, and purposefully.

Also representing UMS were Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation) and Advisor to the Oil and Gas Engineering Programme at the Faculty of Engineering, Prof. Ir. Dr. Rosalam Hj. Sarbatly; UMS Registrar, Luqman Ridha Anwar; Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Associate Professor Ir. Dr. Abu Zahrim Yaser; Head of Mechanical Engineering Programme, Dr. Mohd Kamel Wan Ibrahim; Head of Oil and Gas Engineering Programme, Dr. Norfazliana Abdullah; and Director of the Chancellery Office, Hasmi Hashim.

Pusat Kajian Bencana (NDRC) Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) memperkukuh kerjasama strategik bersama Universiti Pokhara, Nepal dalam bidang penyelidikan dan pengurusan bencana.

Menurut Pengarah NDRC UMS, Profesor Madya Dr. Carolyn Melissa Payus, kerjasama tersebut bukan hanya merangkumi pengurusan bencana alam, tetapi juga perubahan iklim, sumber air dan alam sekitar.

Katanya lawatan tersebut melibatkan sesi perbincangan dua hala dan mesyuarat kolaborasi yang memfokuskan kepada inisiatif penyelidikan bersama kedua-dua institusi.

“Lawatan kerja rasmi ini menjadi platform penting untuk berkongsi perkembangan penyelidikan semasa, meneroka peluang kerjasama baharu dan memperkukuh rangkaian akademik dalam menangani cabaran global terutamanya akibat daripada perubahan iklim, terhadap pengurusan sumber air, kelestarian alam sekitar dan daya tahan terhadap bencana alam.

“Antara kerjasama yang telah dibincangkan adalah dalam pelaksanaan Seminar Bersama yang akan melibatkan pakar-pakar dari kedua-dua institusi tersebut, di samping penyelidikan yang berkaitan pemetaan risiko bencana dan penilaian berterusan untuk tanah runtuh terutamanya melibatkan projek pembinaan jalan raya.

“Ini termasuklah potensi tinggi kerjasama dalam bidang kajian kebakaran hutan bagi menangani bencana pencemaran udara merentas sempada seperti jerebu, pembangunan sistem amaran awal bencana seperti banjir serta pertukaran kepakaran dan felo penyelidik dalam bidang yang diperlukan oleh kedua-dua institusi antaranya dalam permohonan geran antarabangsa,” katanya.

Pada lawatan tersebut, NDRC UMS turut terlibat dalam kerja lapangan di kawasan Machhapuchchhre, Daerah Kaski, Wilayah Gandaki, iaitu merupakan kawasan penempatan komuniti yang terdedah kepada risiko bencana tanah runtuh.

“Lawatan diketuai oleh Profesor Dr. Binaya Kumar Mishra dan dibantu oleh Profesor Madya Dr. Rajib Pokhrel, dari Sekolah Kejuruteraan Universiti Pokhara Nepal.

“Dalam kerja lapangan yang sama, kami turut berpeluang melihat sendiri operasi Seti Nadi Hydroelektrik yang dimajukan oleh Vision Lumbini Urja Company Ltd. yang pada awalnya tertangguh akibat daripada bencana banjir yang melanda kawasan hidroelektrik tersebut.

Tambah Carolyn, kerja lapangan juga dijalankan di kawasan sekitar Kathmandu yang terkesan akibat gempa bumi kuat bermagnitud 7.8 pada April 2015, antaranya Dharahara, Durbar Square serta Durbar Marg.

“Lawatan rasmi ini bukan sahaja memperkukuh hubungan dua hala antara UMS dan Universiti Pokhara, malah membuka ruang penyelidikan kolaboratif yang meluas dalam menangani isu-isu kemanusiaan dan pembangunan mampan.

“Kerjasama ini dijangka akan membawa kepada pelaksanaan projek penyelidikan bersama, pertukaran pelajar dan pakar penyelidik, di samping penganjuran bengkel rentas negara terutamanya dalam pengurusan pengurangan risiko bencana.

“Langkah ini sejajar dengan komitmen UMS dalam mendukung Matlamat Pembangunan Mampan (SDG), khususnya inisiatif yang berkaitan dalam adaptasi perubahan iklim terhadap pembangunan komuniti yang lebih berdaya tahan bencana,” katanya.

Turut sama dalam lawatan tersebut, Pegawai Penyelidik NDRC UMS Eldawaty Madran.

Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) has taken a significant step toward global academic integration through a high-level visit to Aydin Istanbul University in Turkey, forging new pathways in research, academic mobility, and engineering collaboration.

Led by UMS Vice Chancellor, Prof. Datuk Dr. Kasim Hj. Mansor, the visit resulted in the signing of a Letter of Intent (LoI), signalling the two universities’ commitment to formalising a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) later this year.

According to a statement by UMS’s Faculty of Engineering, the discussions between the two universities were focused and forward-looking, with central to the engagement was UMS’s potential participation in the Erasmus+ Programme, the European Union’s flagship initiative for education, training, and mobility.

“This would pave the way for structured student and staff exchanges, joint curriculum development, and co-supervision of research — providing UMS students and academics with valuable access to international classrooms, laboratories, and networks.

“Engineering emerged as a key pillar of the partnership, with both institutions explored opportunities for joint research and academic exchange in high-impact areas such as renewable energy systems, green materials technology, and environmental engineering.

“These are not only priority research themes at UMS but are also aligned with Malaysia’s and Türkiye’s broader sustainability goals,” according to the statement.

The statement also noted that another major outcome of the dialogue was UMS’s invitation to participate in the Delightful Istanbul Summer School, which is scheduled from 26 July to 9 August 2025.

“The programme offers credit-bearing modules taught in English, providing UMS students with cross-cultural exposure in a globally diverse academic environment.

A boutique edition of the programme — Delightful Late Summer Cyprus — will be held from 23 to 30 August in Kyrenia, offering a Mediterranean learning experience combining academic rigour with cultural immersion.

“Looking ahead, both universities are planning to co-organise the STAR Global Conference 2025 in Istanbul this October, which UMS will serve as part of the advisory and academic committee, lending thought leadership and regional expertise to the international forum,” the statement noted.

During the visits, UMS delegation was received with great hospitality by the Rector of Aydin Istanbul University, Prof. Dr. Ali Sınağ, along with senior officials from the International Directorate, Mr. Gurkam Donat; Director of International Affairs, Asst. Prof. Osman Gultekin; Coordinator of International Academic Relations, Mr. Faruk Seferi; and Ms. Ayten Nahide Korkmaz.

Accompanying the UMS Vice-Chancellor were Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation) and Advisor to the Oil and Gas Engineering Programme at the Faculty of Engineering, Prof. Ir. Dr. Rosalam Hj. Sarbatly; UMS Registrar, Luqman Ridha Anwar; Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Associate Professor Ir. Dr. Abu Zahrim Yaser; Head of Mechanical Engineering Programme, Dr. Mohd Kamel Wan Ibrahim; Head of Oil and Gas Engineering Programme, Dr. Norfazliana Abdullah; and Director of the Chancellery Office, Hasmi Hashim.

Pusat Perkhidmatan dan Penyelidikan Halal (PPPH), Fakulti Sains Makanan dan Pemakanan (FSMP), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) telah menjalinkan kerjasama dengan Perbadanan Nasional Berhad (Pernas) dalam usaha membantu usahawan kecil bumiputera bagi mendapatkan pensijilan halal Malaysia yang diiktiraf oleh Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (JAKIM).

Menurut Dekan Fakulti Sains Makanan dan Pemakanan (FSMP) UMS, Profesor Ts. Dr. Hasmadi Mamat, kerjasama tersebut juga bertujuan meningkatkan bilangan usahawan Industri Kecil dan Sederhana (IKS) yang mempunyai sijil halal Malaysia bagi produk yang dihasilkan.

Katanya PPPH sentaisa membuka peluang kerjasama dengan agensi-agensi kerajaan, pihak swasta, penggiat indsutri dan pertubuhan bukan kerajaan (NGO) dalam usaha memberi bimbingan kepada lebih ramai usahawan terutamanya di negeri Sabah untuk mendapatkan sijil halal Malaysia bagi produk yang dihasil

“Melalui kerjasama UMS dan Pernas, para usahawan berpeluang mendapat bimbingan dan pemantauan daripada pakar halal di PPPH bermula daripada pemeriksaan premis sehingga berjaya mendapat sijil halal bagi produk mereka.

“Dua syarikat kategori kecil iaitu Lekor Masyhur Enterprise dan Ina Legacy Sdn. Bhd. telah berjaya mendapat pensijilan halal masing-masing pada tahun ini,” katanya.

Tambah Hasmadi, kedua-dua syarikat tersebut dikategorikan di bawah skim penghasilan produk makanan.

“Syarikat Lekor Masyhur Enterprise terlibat dalam penghasilan kerepok lekor manakala Ina Legacy Sdn. Bhd. terlibat dalam penghasilan minuman dengan jenama Cendol Ina,” ujarnya.

Hasmadi berkata PPPH UMS akan terus giat memberikan bimbingan dan latihan berkaitan pensijilan halal Malaysia kepada pihak industri khususnya di Sabah memandangkan pusat ini diiktiraf sebagai penyedia latihan halal oleh JAKIM, menjadikannya satu-satunya penyedia latihan halal yang diiktiraf di Sabah.

“Selain bimbingan kepada pengusaha industri, PPPH juga menyediakan latihan dalam memahami dan memenuhi keperluan pensijilan halal.

“Pihak kami juga telah merancang untuk membangunkan ekosistem halal Sabah secara lebih komprehensif di setiap peringkat bagi memastikan produk halal Sabah dapat bersaing di peringkat global,” katanya.