WEDNESDAY, 30 JULY – The practice of visiting each other has become a must during Hari Raya Aidilfitri to enable family members and relatives gather together to foster their family ties besides doing the act of asking for forgiveness from one another.

However, the practice seemed to be declining, especially among youths who prefer to meet their friends outside or busy using their gadgets.

Commenting on this matter, lecturer of Communication, Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Heritage Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Saat Awang Damit said youths no longer considered the practice as a special culture during Hari Raya.

“It is different with the previous generation, visiting each other including their family members during Hari Raya is a must,” he emphasised.

Describing the practice of visiting each other as a way to foster family values, Saat said most of today’s youths do not see the concept as necessary as they prefer to be with their friends.

In contrast to that, young children were still seen to be interested in the continuation of the practice and visit their family members, relatives and neighbours.

“But the only reason is to collect ‘duit raya’ (Raya money)…nevertheless, parents should take this as an opportunity to introduce their next of kin to the children so they know their family tree,” he concluded. – SS (fl)


Source: Bernama
Picture: Utusan.com.my


Media and Citra Division
Chancellery Department

 

SATURDAY, 26 JULY – The underpriviledged continue to receive attention when many are busy preparing to celebrate the Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

Recently, the Sabah Society of Local Art (POST’S) in collaboration with the Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Heritage (FKSW) organised an Iftar dinner called Malam Imtihan Kasih Perdana hosted in honour of the orphans and less fortunate children.

Deputy Dean of Student Affairs, Alumni and Postgraduate FKSW, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Haji Baharudin Mohd Arus when opening the charity event said the involvement of students of Arts in such programme was important as arts programme could be translated into entertainment to bring joy to the underpriviledged children present.

“The event assisted by students from the creative arts industry is able to educate them to not ignore their responsibility to this group and able to foster the spirit of volunteerism.

“Hopefully this event will continue to be held and to include more organisations and government agencies including the private sector to ensure the success of this charity programme,” he said.

Meanwhile, more than 60 children from Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Ria, Tuaran, Sekolah Kebangsaan Malawa Ria, Sepanggar and Sekolah Kebangsaan Sanzac Kota Kinabalu received gifts and cash at the event. The contributions were presented by POST’S President, Janrywine J Lusin. – MA (fl)


Media and Citra Division
Chancellery Department
 

WEDNESDAY, 30 JULY - The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has recently published a patent develops at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS). The international patent (Number: O2014011024 A1) relates to the production of recombinant fish growth hormone in bacteria using a synthetic genomics approach. Natural growth hormones are a benign alternative to chemical growth hormones as they were derived from the fish itself.
 

Unlike chemical compounds, recombinant hormones based on proteins break down naturally in the body of the fish itself and are not deemed to be a threat to consumers. The product has application in the aquaculture industry and can facilitate the reduction of the time spent for culture of fish as well as lead to a more efficient conversion of feed.
 

The patent was developed as part of the research work being carried out by Fernandes Opook, from Kudat, who is a Masters student specialising in recombinant DNA technology in bacteria at the Biotechnology Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah.
 

This technology enables the expression of a wide range of protein coding genes in bacteria and is highly economical, as bacteria can be cultured in laboratory fermenters, and requires a minimal financial investment. The gene is introduced into the bacterial host and proteins can be recovered within 24 hours of culture, following which they are purified and developed into ready to use products.
 

Recombinant DNA technology is the mainstay of the Biotechnology Industry and the production of recombinant proteins has not been carried out on an industrial scale in Malaysia. Once established, this technology can contribute significantly to the economic growth of the biotechnology industry. The principal investigator involved with the project, Dr. Kenneth Rodrigues is of the opinion that training more Sabahan scientists in recombinant DNA technology will facilitate the development of Sabah as a biotechnology hub in the near future.
 

The biotechnology industry, in most other countries has been founded on the development of local talents, who then attract financial investments and initiate the process of consolidation. It is hoped that this achievement by a young Sabahan researcher will serve as an encouragement to students who intend to take up a career in biotechnology. – (fl)

SATURDAY, 26 JULY – Centre for the Promotion of Knowledge and Language (PPIB) organised a programme called Sejambak Kasih with the orphans at As-Sakinah Orphanage, Lok Kawi, Papar recently.

The programme was participated by 26 staff of PPIB and held during the month of Ramadan, which also became a community service programme of the centre.

Several activities were carried out such as gotong royong to clean and decorate the area, Tazkirah Ramadan by Ustazah Dg. Hafizah Ag. Basir, Iftar, Solat Maghrib, breaking of fast with the As-Sakinah inmates including donation to the orphans.

The event was also attended by Director of Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (YADIM) Sabah Zone, Haji Samin Ongki.

In his welcoming speech, Samin was grateful to those who came to the orphanage, especially from UMS, which often organise such programme.

Meanwhile, Dean of PPIB, Prof. Dr. Vincent Pang in his speech hoped that more such programmes would be carried out so as to instil in the children to be excellent in their education.

He also urged them to continue their studies at UMS in future.

At the end of the programme, Prof. Vincent presented contributions in terms of clothing, books and duit Raya to all those at the As-Sakinah Orphanage besides donating money to the orphanage fund. – SS (fl)


Source: Nelson Justin Adeh, PPIB


Media and Citra Division
Chancellery Department