TUESDAY, 26 AUGUST – Sabah will be the venue for international training in biodiversity and ecosystem management following the existence of forests covering nearly 50 percent of the land area in the state.

This matter was specifically mentioned by Sabah State Secretary, Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Sukarti Hj. Wakiman at the closing ceremony of the Third Country Training Programme (TCTP) Sabah 2014 at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS).

This was due to the success of UMS as the secretariat of TCTP in organising training programmes on biodiversity and ecosystem conservation to about 40 agencies from 17 developing countries, since 2002.

“Because of the progress and stability of the economy, Malaysia now becomes one of the countries that provides assistance to developing countries,” he said. His speech was read by Deputy Secretary to the State Government (Development), Datuk Joseph Pounis Guntavid.

Prior to this, Malaysia was one of the countries that received aid and training facilities, biodiversity and ecosystem conservation from donor countries like Japan.

“I believe that the experience you get while in Sabah will benefit your career (in the field of biodiversity and ecosystem conservation),” he added.

TCTP Sabah 2014 which was attended by 19 participants from Uganda, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Kenya, Myanmar and Sri Lanka, closed its curtain today after three weeks, under the Institute of Tropical Biology and Conservation (ITBC) UMS.

Also present at the ceremony was the Director of UMSKAL, Assoc. Prof. Murnizam Hj. Halik, representing UMS Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd. Harun Abdullah, and ITBC Director Dr. Charles Santhanaraju Vairappan. – ZMD (fl)



Photo: Johaidi Ismail


Media and Citra Division
Chancellery Department


 

TUESDAY, 26 AUGUST – A total of seven Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) staff was involved in the Transforming Ideas Into Reality (MENITI) Programme, a New Entry Mode Mechanism for Bottom 40% Household for the 2014/2015 academic session in Zone 5 comprising Tawau, Semporna, Kunak and Lahad Datu.

The MENITI Programme with the theme ‘UMS Realising the Dream of Natives’ is a Corporate Social Responsibility Programme (CSR) which provides opportunities for students from families earning 40% below the poverty line to further their studies in UMS, provided they meet the minimum entry level requirement set by the Student Admission Management Division (UPU), Higher Education Department (JPT).

A total of 100 students from across the state were selected where 25 of them were from Zone 5.

According to the Special Officer to the Vice-Chancellor, Lokman Abdul Samad who was in Tawau, the offer letter was personally delivered to each of the student by UMS staff on duty at the student’s house.

“Time constraint and distance are the biggest challenges because we have to deliver the letter within 3 days, but the task was successfully done.”

He added, to expedite the delivery process, the group split into two smaller groups with the first group covering the districts of Tawau and Semporna while the second group in Kunak and Lahad Datu.

“With this manner, we are able to meet the students personally and the opportunity to interact with the families of the students.”

“I would like to thank the school teachers for all the assistance rendered and helped facilitated the smooth-running of this event.’

MENITI Programme, which ran for three days ended yesterday, the students will enroll at the University on 1 and 2 September 2014. – CD (fl)


Media and Citra Division
Chancellery Department