UMS STRENGTHENS ITS ROLE AS ‘THE BRAIN OF BORNEO’

KOTA KINABALU, Nov 12 (Bernama) -- Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) remains committed to reinforcing its role as ‘The Brain of Borneo’ by prioritising high-impact research, inclusive education, and the cultivation of quality human capital to generate tangible benefits for society, the state, and the nation, said UMS Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Kasim Mansor.

He emphasised that ‘The Brain of Borneo’ is more than a slogan; it embodies the university’s mission and vision since its inception three decades ago as a premier knowledge centre in the region, while advancing the state’s social and economic development.

He said the slogan will serve as UMS’s guiding principle, ensuring that all efforts in nurturing graduates and research outcomes are anchored in values of impact, resilience, authenticity, inclusivity, responsibility, and the fostering of a well-informed society.

“This slogan was selected by the Ministry of Higher Education, and UMS remains steadfast in aligning with it. With over 1,200 academic staff, more than 80 per cent holding PhDs, their expertise will further cement UMS’s reputation as a leading institution of higher learning in Sabah.

“This is more than just a slogan; it carries significant meaning to ensure that UMS makes a substantial contribution to the people of Sabah, particularly in rural areas, while also impacting the state’s development,” he said during the Ruang Bicara programme aired on Bernama TV last night.

Kasim stated that UMS is committed to ensuring all university research is applied toward industrial development, yielding outcomes that benefit society rather than simply producing publications for library shelves.

He stated that UMS’s commitment to contributing expertise through the state’s Economic Advisory Council covers diverse sectors, including tourism, mining, and minerals, ensuring that policies implemented in Sabah deliver meaningful socioeconomic benefits to its communities.

He added that the initiative could also unlock Sabah’s potential, further boosting state and national income.

“Sabah is abundant in natural resources, yet its development still lags behind. Hence, I believe UMS has a responsibility to cultivate skilled human capital across diverse fields to unlock this potential,” he said.

On recent achievements, Kasim noted that UMS is ranked 214th in Asia and 58th in Southeast Asia in the QS World University Rankings, serving as a catalyst to further enhance the university’s academic standing.

Since its establishment, Kasim noted that UMS has produced more than 95,000 graduates across a wide range of fields, including medicine, education, and the social sciences.

Kasim stated that UMS will hold its 27th Convocation on Nov 28 and 30, and Dec 1, featuring 193 doctoral graduates across various disciplines, 295 master’s degree recipients, and 125 international students.

He added that UMS produced 288 first-class honours graduates in this year’s convocation session.

“Many B40 students from the B40 group will also be graduating, alongside 10 students with disabilities,” he added.

-- BERNAMA