TUESDAY, 13 JANUARY – Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) through the Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation (IBTP) had for the first time held a foster programme with students from Japan.

UMS Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd. Harun Abdullah said the foster programme held for three days, involved 12 students from Keisei Super Science High School.

“Through this programme, students will stay with their host families and will participate in activities related to the environment and conservation,” he said at the foster programme event.

Datuk Harun himself fostered two children and said that the programme provided an opportunity to forge close relationships between students and host families, where both parties would have the opportunity to learn about each other’s cultural background which are totally different.

Meanwhile, IBTP Director, Prof. Dr. Charles S. Vairappan said Keisei High School had started visiting IBTP since last year to focus on the efforts on tropical biodiversity conservation.

Such visits were initiated as a result of the collaboration and smart-partnership between UMS and Rakuno Gakuen University, Hokkaido.

Also adopted foster children were Prof. Dr. Charles, Prof. Dr. Felix Tongkul, Prof. Dr. Vincent Pang, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Baba Musta, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kawi Bidin and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Henry Bernard. – MA (fl)


Photo: Ernest Berinus


Media and Citra Division
 

WEDNESDAY, 14 JANUARY – Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) through the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FKSK) will be organising an intensive course on Marriage and Family Therapy from 5-7 February 2015, between 9.00 am until 5.00 pm.

According to a statement issued by FKSK, the course which will be held at the Nursing Clinical Block, Kingfisher UMS will cover the theory concerns and approaches of couple and family therapy practice.

It is also designed for human services professional therapists and religious leaders who would like to increase their knowledge and practice in marital and family services.

The workshop will be conducted by Dr. Fred Toke and the teaching approach is based on adult experiential learning principles.

The curriculum and interactive learning environment provide opportunities to discuss, apply , reflect and acquire hands-on skills.

Among the topics which will be covered includes Marriage Counseling – Getting to the Heart of Caring Relationships, Counseling Couples in Good Communicatons and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Couples.

The course fee is RM300 for UMS staff and Persatuan Perubatan Desa Sabah (PERDESA) members, and RM500 for other participants.

For more information, please contact Atiqah at 014-3509402, Carrie 019-8938352, Chong Li Tsu 013-8915797 or Jecelyn at 016-8376038. – FL


Media and Citra Division
 

TUESDAY, 13 JANUARY – Some environmental conservation efforts in the past failed because society could not tolerate the various strategies and mechanisms implemented, and the lack of community participation towards these efforts.

Thus, learning from each other is key word in the search for sustainable solutions to these issues, as nature conservation is not simply progress in research alone but is the effort of all parties.

Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd. Harun Abdullah was quoted as saying at the handing over ceremony of the Adopt-a-Child of UMS-Keisei Super Science High School at Café’ D’Sireh.

“The exchange of culture and ideas between the foster family members in a given period can have an impact or results that benefits both parties.

“To the adopted children from Keisei High School , academicians who adopted them, let us together learn from each other,” he said.

He explained that the foster family programme was an activity in the Keisei High School Study Tour, and an important milestone of the bond between UMS and Rakuno Gakuen University, and hoped that the foster family relationship will last. – MA (fl)


Photo: Ernest Berinus


Media and Citra Division