�鶹��Ƶ (UMS) and the Royal Institution of Surveyors Malaysia (RISM) have formalised a Letter of Intent (LoI) recently to strengthen collaboration in academic development, professional training and research in surveying, engineering and the built environment.

The LoI was jointly signed by UMS Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Datuk Dr. Kasim Haji Mansor and RISM President, Sr Wan Ainon Zuraiha Wan Abd Khalid, marking a significant step forward in institutional partnership.

The signing ceremony was held during the 9th Sabah International Surveyors Congress (9SISC) organised by RISM Sabah Branch at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC).

Also present were member of the UMS Board of Directors, Datuk Aliasgar Basri, Director General of Dewan Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu (DBKK) Datuk Sr Lifred Wong, RISM Sabah Branch Chairman Ts Sr Allen Leslie Chin, Deputy Chairlady of RISM Sabah Branch and Organising Chairlady of the 9SISC Sr Melissa Felix Lee, Immediate Past Chairman of RISM Sabah Branch Sr Robert Tseu, UMS Faculty of Engineering Dean Associate Prof. Ir. Dr. Abu Zahrim Yaser, and coordinator of the Built Environment Programme Prof. Ar. Nurakmal Goh.

In their addresses, Kasim and Allen expressed sincere appreciation for the initiation of this significant milestone between UMS and RISM. They stated that this collaboration will strengthen the relationship between academia and the professional sector in line with the shared vision of producing UMS graduates who are professional, competent and ready to meet emerging industry needs.

“This collaboration represents our collective aspiration to support the growth of Sabah and the nation through education, innovation and industry engagement,” Kasim said.

He said the future collaboration covers joint seminars, workshops, guest lectures, curriculum with industry relevance, industrial training, staff and student attachments and technical visits to RISM members’ companies, which would provide UMS students with real exposure to professional practice.

According to him, the LoI further promotes joint research and publication in areas such as construction management, sustainable design and Building Information Modelling (BIM), which includes capacity-building programmes, community outreach initiatives and sustainability-driven activities, reflecting the shared responsibility to contribute positively to society and the environment.

Kasim highlighted that the partnership includes planning of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities for RISM members and UMS academicians, as well as micro-credential programmes that aim to strengthen the lifelong learning and enhancing graduate employability.

He announced that UMS would introduce two new degree programmes under the Built Environment cluster, the Bachelor of Architecture in March 2026 and the Bachelor of Quantity Surveying in September 2026.

Kasim said the signing represented trust, collaboration and shared purpose, adding that UMS and RISM were committed to nurturing the next generation of professionals who would drive Sabah’sprogress.

“With RISM’s professional expertise and UMS’s academic strength, I am confident that Sabah can position itself as a hub of professional excellence and sustainable development, the true Brain of Borneo,” he said.

Allen highlighted that RISM will provide a strong commitment to UMS for improving the students’ skills, knowledge and quality in professional development, and hope that the collaboration will continue for many years to come and continue to benefit the next generation of students.

“It is a wonderful beginning to have UMS lecturers joining in this year’s congress as organising committee members,” Allen said.

As concluding remarks, Kasim and Allen expressed appreciation to all contributors involved in the congress and looking forward to the success of future collaborations between the academics and industry.

�鶹��Ƶ (UMS) continues to strengthen its national standing as its student-led innovation project, ReIPvolution, garners an outstanding series of recognitions through the rural education initiative SULAM ReIP.

According to a statement by Centre for Academic Excellence and Development (CAED), this achievement not only elevates UMS’s reputation as an institution committed to community development but also highlights the ability of its students to produce creative, high-impact solutions in addressing educational disparities in rural areas.

“Originally introduced as Reading in Paradise (ReIP), a modest effort to restore reading access in a rural primary school, the project has since evolved into EduTaman Inspirasi, a creative outdoor learning space that integrates literacy, arts, emotional well-being, and experiential education.

“Implemented under Service-Learning Malaysia–University for Society (SULAM) through the Social Inequality course at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSK), this initiative provides students with a meaningful platform to translate academic theories into real, impactful community engagement.

“Beyond applying classroom knowledge, students also cultivate essential values such as leadership, empathy, and teamwork, while gaining firsthand exposure to the challenges faced by underserved communities,” according to the statement.

CAED also emphasized that the experience not only enriches their academic journey but also shapes them into socially responsible individuals equipped to contribute to long-term societal development.

“The year 2025 marked a breakthrough for ReIPvolution, which secured a remarkable series of achievements: Gold and Best Presenter at SUISS, Gold at IPICTL × SULAM@UPM, Gold at SULAM UMS, Gold and Second Best Project at SULAM@UPSI, and Gold at the SPSSK 2025 Research Poster Competition.

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“The project was also selected as a national finalist for SULAM Innovate, scheduled for November under the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT).

“In recognition of its substantial impact on rural communities, the team was further honoured with the Sabah Academic Excellence Award (AKSA), carrying a cash prize of RM8,000.

Meanwhile, course coordinator Ramlah Daud said the series of achievements reflects UMS’s strong commitment to community empowerment through SULAM while shaping high-impact student leaders.

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“SULAM does not only open doors for students to contribute to society; it shapes the character, leadership, and empathy needed in the real world,” she said.

Project leader Muhamad Khalif Fiqri bin Mohd Rusdy@Suis, a final-year student from the Sociology and Anthropology Programme, represented UMS in several national showcases.

His involvement highlighted the university’s commitment to empowering students through impactful community-based initiatives.

At IPICTL × SULAM@UPM, Muhamad Khalif delivered a compelling presentation of the SULAM–ReIPvolution project to academic assessors.

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His strong presentation skills and leadership contributed significantly to the team’s success in securing a Gold award at the event.

A total of 658 participants and 20 presenters from 17 countries attended the Global Virtual Conference on Digital Transformation in Higher Education (DX25), organised by �鶹��Ƶ (UMS) at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) recently.

In a statement today, UMS said the event was coordinated by its Centre for Internationalisation and Global Engagement (PPPG), with support from the Faculty of Education and Sports Studies (FPPS) and the DX.SEA UMS Project Committee.

Held under the theme “Redefining Possibilities in Digital Transformation”, the conference also marked the conclusion of the Erasmus DX.SEA Project involving 11 universities from Europe and Southeast Asia to strengthen digital transformation initiatives in higher education institutions in Lao PDR, Cambodia and Malaysia.

UMS said six keynote speakers delivered presentations at the event, representing the Commonwealth of Learning (Canada), Tallinn University of Technology (Estonia), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Riga Technical University (Latvia) and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.

Conference Chair and PPPG Director Assoc Prof Dr Wardatul Akmam Din said the programme enabled experts to outline current developments and share institutional practices in digital learning.

“The conference served as a platform for discussing approaches to advancing digital transformation in higher education,” she said.

UMS added that a networking session with the EUROASIA Digital Learning Network (EDLAN) was held to explore future cooperation among partner institutions.

A three-day DX.SEA Project Workshop was also conducted to review project outcomes, including module development, training activities, quality assurance and sustainability planning. Project details are available at https://dxsea.co.

The conference was supported by the Malaysian e-Learning Council for Public Universities (MEIPTA).

The visit of the delegation from the Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition (FSMP), �鶹��Ƶ (UMS) to Universitas Brawijaya (UB) and Universitas Islam Malang (UNISMA) recently marked a new chapter in strengthening research and academic collaboration networks between Malaysia and Indonesia.

The UMS delegation consisted of Dean of FSMP, Professor Ts. Dr. Hasmadi Mamat, Director of the Halal Services and Research Centre, Dr. Mohd Hazim Mohd Yusop, and FSMP Mobility Coordinator, Ts. Dr. Ahmad Hazim Abdul Aziz.

According to the statement by FSMP, , the FSMP delegation also attended the 6th International Conference on Fisheries and Marine Research (ICoFMR 2025) organized by Universitas Brawijaya during their stay in Malang, Indonesia.

In the session, a bilateral discussion was held to explore the potential for joint research, co-publications, and the implementation of staff and student mobility programmes between UMS and UB.

The arrival of the UMS delegation at Universitas Brawijaya was welcomed by Rector of UB, Profesor Dr. Widodo, and Dean of the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Profesor Dr. Ir. Asep Awaludin Prihanto.

Both parties expressed their commitment to strengthening research and academic relations in the fields of food science, halal studies, fisheries, and marine resource innovation.

Meanwhile, UMS’s visit to UNISMA focused on the development and innovation of honey-based products, including potential collaborations in research and the development of functional food products.

This official visit serves as a starting point for a long-term strategic relationship between UMS, UB, and UNISMA, towards regional sustainable development through the enhancement of food science, halal studies, fisheries, and marine resource fields.

Political campaigners in the upcoming Sabah State election must adopt authentic, youth-centric strategies on social media to effectively engage young voters.

Despite being prolific users of platforms like TikTok and Instagram, their participation is largely passive, more about consuming content than contributing to political discourse, new research by Dr. Latif Lai of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, �鶹��Ƶ, has found.

Titled “Beyond the Ballot: Measuring Political Literacy in the Age of Social Media,” the study reveals a critical gap between Gen Z’s high social media usage and their low levels of political literacy and engagement.

Presenting his findings at the 3rd Regional Symposium on Social Sciences and Humanities Issues held today, Dr. Lai highlighted a disconnect between the perceived political agency of young voters and their actual knowledge. “While Gen Z shows moderate levels of political efficacy, the mismatch with their factual understanding puts them at risk of misinformation,” he explained.

Based on a survey of 344 undergraduates in Sabah, the study concludes that traditional, top-down campaign methods are no longer effective.

To win over this generation, political parties must embrace interactive, visually engaging approaches that resonate with youth concerns, such as the cost of living, employment, and mental health, on platforms they already frequent.

�鶹��Ƶ (UMS) has charted a new milestone in its innovation journey with the launch of three pioneer start-up companies under the Start-Up and Spin-Off (SUSO) Policy which held recently.

This initiative serves as a manifestation of the university’s commitment to translating academic expertise into high impact solutions for society and the economy.

The three companies launched are U Agro Resources Sdn. Bhd., focusing on sustainable aquaculture technology; Geo-Rintis Consultant & Services Sdn. Bhd, offering geo-mapping consultancy services; and EcoInnovate Solutions Sdn. Bhd, dedicated to the development of green technologies for communities and industries.

Their establishment marks a bold step for UMS towards becoming a regional leader in the university driven innovation ecosystem.

According to UMS Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Professor Ir. Dr. Rosalam Hj. Sarbatly, the launch reflects the university’s ongoing efforts to cultivate a culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainability among its academic community.

“Our academics are not only generating knowledge, but also creating solutions that bring direct benefits to society and the economy,” he said.

The policy provides a structured framework enabling researchers to establish legitimate business entities with institutional support, in alignment with UMS’s mission of sustainable development, knowledge transfer, and community empowerment.

With the establishment of these companies, UMS is expected to open new avenues for research collaboration, job creation, and commercialization, thereby further strengthening Sabah’s position as a hub for sustainable technology and knowledge-based enterprise.

�鶹��Ƶ (UMS) through its International Relations Programme, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSK), hosted a visit by Professor Dr. Omer Kurtbag of Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey, from 25 to 29 August 2025.

FSSK Dean, Professor Dr. Asmady Idris, said the purpose of the visit was to evaluate the International Relations Programme, including its course structure, lecturers, as well as undergraduate and postgraduate offerings, and facilities, with the aim of enhancing the programme’s quality to meet international standards.

“Professor Omer's visit has also opened up opportunities for academic cooperation, including student and faculty exchanges, which will further strengthen UMS’s internationalisation agenda.

“His insights and recommendations are invaluable as the faculty works to improve teaching and research quality,” he said in a statement, here, today.

During a courtesy visit to UMS Vice-Chancellor, Professor Datuk Dr. Kasim Mansor, both parties discussed efforts to upgrade the existing Letter of Intent (LoI) to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UMS and Erciyes University.

The session also saw the official launch of Malaysia–Turkiye Relations: Sabah Chapter, marking another milestone in strengthening academic and cultural ties between the two nations.

As part of the programme, Professor Omer met with two second-year students from UMS’s International Relations Programme, who are recipients of the Türkiye Scholarships (TIES) and will participate in a short-term academic exchange programme in Turkey.

He also delivered a lecture titled “The Evolution of Turkish Foreign Policy in the Middle East and Asia: Recalibrating Strategic Depth”, which was well received by both students and lecturers. The lecture provided new perspectives on Turkey’s strategic approach to global politics.

“Graduates from UMS’s International Relations Programme exhibit strong employability, with many securing positions in both the public and private sectors in recent years,” Professor Omer remarked during his closing speech.

Also present at the event were postgraduate students and members of the International Relations Club (HA15) FSSK.

A total of 61 second-year students from the Civil Engineering Programme, Faculty of Engineering (FKJ), �鶹��Ƶ (UMS) participated in Survey Camp 2025, which was held recently at the Hutan Lipur Kawang Nature Centre, Papar, Sabah.

The camp, led by FKJ lecturer Sr. Ts. Br. Dr. Asmawan Mohd Sarman, was primarily aimed at bridging classroom theory with real world field practices.

According to Dr. Asmawan, the camp was designed to provide students with a clear understanding and practical exposure to land surveying techniques using modern equipment such as total stations and levelling instruments.

He said it also emphasized essential soft skills such as teamwork, communication, leadership, and problem solving under challenging conditions.

“Surveying is the foundation of all civil engineering projects. This camp not only hones technical skills but also builds the physical and mental resilience needed to face real world challenges,” he said.

Throughout the camp, participants engaged in various tasks such as open and closed traverse, levelling, tacheometry, and contour mapping.

“These activities required accuracy in data collection, precise calculations, and strong collaboration among team members.

“Each student was given the opportunity to operate the equipment, record readings, and verify survey results.

“Beyond technical aspects, the camp also taught students time management, logistical planning, and decision-making under pressure skills that are essential for their future careers,” he said.

Hutan Lipur Kawang was chosen as the venue due to its challenging natural terrain, which tested the students’ ability to adapt to real world conditions.

Camp Director Azrin Azahari shared that apart from strengthening technical skills, the camp fostered closer bonds among students and tested their ability to adapt and work effectively as a team.

“This program not only enhanced students’ knowledge of civil engineering but also nurtured teamwork and resilience.

“FKJ hopes that similar programs will continue to be organized to produce graduates who are not only technically competent but also equipped with soft skills and resilience to excel in the dynamic field of civil engineering,” he said.

�鶹��Ƶ (UMS), through law lecturer from the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Marja Azlima Omar, has outlined the importance of two key legal principles, ‘in loco parentis’ and strict liability, which can be applied in addressing school bullying cases.

The principle of ‘in loco parentis’, derived from Latin meaning “in the place of a parent”, places a legal duty on teachers and schools to act in the best interests of students, particularly in matters of safety and supervision.

“Over the years, numerous court cases have reinforced this principle. In the context of school bullying, this duty involves ensuring a safe environment and taking proactive measures to prevent harm, injury, or tragedy,” Marja explained.

According to her, under the law of tort, a breach of the duty of care amounts to negligence. However, for cases where bullying is recurrent or known to occur frequently in certain schools, the concept of strict liability may also be considered.

Strict liability holds a party responsible for harm without the need to prove negligence or fault. In the education context, this means that if bullying is proven to be widespread, the school can be held liable even if reasonable preventive measures were taken.

“In simple terms, once bullying is proven to have occurred within the school environment, the law can place responsibility on the institution. This shifts the focus from solely blaming the perpetrator to also evaluating the protection systems and safety measures in place,” she added.

Marja further stressed that this approach is consistent with Article 19 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which Malaysia has ratified.

“This article obliges governments to take legislative, administrative, social, and educational measures to protect children from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury, abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

“This international commitment further strengthens the obligation of schools to act proactively in ensuring the safety of children under their care,” she said.

She emphasised that the intention of this explanation is not to accuse or blame any particular school, but to raise public awareness of the existing legal and rights-based frameworks in place to protect students.

“Bullying should never be tolerated or accepted as tradition. When the law recognises the duty of care, concepts such as strict liability, and obligations under Article 19, it equips society with the means to ensure that schools remain safe spaces for all students,” she concluded.