Exploring the Dynamic Collaborations of the Academic Affairs Department, UiTM Sabah Branch

The Academic Affairs Department, UiTM Sabah Branch, is responsible for managing a variety of academic-related tasks. Its key responsibilities include managing student course registration, preparing new student intake projections, handling recruitments of new students, as well as conducting final examinations. Currently, this department is headed by Dr. Firdausi Suffian, Deputy Rector of Academic Affairs, an accomplished political economist and a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies. Besides participating and contributing in global academic initiatives and research, the Academic Affairs Department also plays an important role in managing international collaborations and partnerships. These collaborations can take many forms, such as research projects, student and faculty exchanges and international programmes and initiatives.

Concerning international collaborations, the Academic Affairs Department’s responsibilities include identifying and establishing partnerships with universities and other institutions around the world, as well as promoting communication and partnership between faculty and staff in different countries. One of the collaborations established by the department was with the Asian China Education and Culture Association (ACEC). The collaboration’s aim was to advance global academic and research programmes by promoting international education and establishing bilateral partnerships. The Institute of Postgraduate Studies (IPSis), Faculty of Hotel and Tourism Management, and the Academy of Language Studies of UiTM Sabah branch organised a successful virtual programme for approximately 100 potential postgraduate students from China as part of this collaboration.

registrar, Ms. Iza Azween Binti Fadzil, visited the UiTM Sabah branch to meet with its Mandarin language teachers. The delegation met with Mr. Zhao Wei from China, and two local language teachers, Ms. Carolyinn Teo and Ms. Noranggerini Binti Mohd. Kadir. The courtesy visit was hosted by Ms. Jenny Mosikon, the Third Language Coordinator of the Academy of Language Studies at UiTM Sabah branch. The main purpose of the visit was to plan activities for students enrolled in Mandarin courses and to get to know more about the teachers. The visit aimed to enrich the use of the Mandarin language among the students, which would ultimately contribute to the promotion of Chinese language and culture in Malaysia.

A second collaboration with China was conducted via the Kong Zi Institute, also known as the Confucius Institute at the University of Malaya. This institute assigns Chinese language teachers to the UiTM Sabah branch every semester to teach Mandarin courses to both diploma and degree students. Before the start of the October 2022 semester, the Malaysian Director of the Kong Zi Institute, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Noor Zalina Mahmood, and the assistant in Southeast Asia: The Future of Travel? and Sustainability of the Business Events Industry: Lessons Learned. The event coincided with International Mountain Day 2022.

UiTM Sabah branch was also visited by the US Embassy representatives, Ms. Katherine Diop, Cultural Affairs Officer, and Ms. Rohafazlyna Ismail, Cultural Affairs Assistant on March 8th, 2022. The primary purpose of the visit was to establish a collaboration with the Academy of Language Studies, headed by Ms. Delia L. Olaybal, under the Academic Affairs Department, UiTM Sabah branch. During the visit, several activities were discussed, with the US Fellowship programme as the highlight. The US Embassy selected Ms. Laura Hancock from Michigan, USA, as the fellow in UiTM Sabah branch. Currently, Ms. Hancock is training the UiTM Sabah branch academic and non-academic staff on English for Professionals, while also giving students the opportunity to learn from a native English speaker. This initiative is an excellent opportunity for the university to enhance its English language programme and promote cultural exchange.

In addition, the Institute of Postgraduate Studies (IPSis) promotes its postgraduate courses to other organisations and institutions. As a part of this initiative, the Head of Centre, Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Hendry Joseph and other IPSis staff visited the Indonesian Consulate in Tawau and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) last year to introduce and promote postgraduate programmes offered by UiTM Sabah Branch. The visits were beneficial for IPSis staff to create networks among government employees, share knowledge and experience, particularly on management and student intake, and most importantly to promote courses in UiTM Sabah branch to a wider audience.

Moreover, the department established several memorandums of understanding to enhance the existing partnerships between UiTM Sabah branch and other institutions or organisations. One of the memorandums of understanding was signed between Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Sabah and Guilin Medical University (GLMU) China on 9 June 2022. The event marked an important milestone in the efforts to enhance academic collaboration between the two institutions, and to provide greater opportunities for academic growth and cultural integration between China and Sabah. Signing on behalf of UiTM Sabah was its Rector, Datuk Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hj. Abdul Kadir Rosline, and Dr. Firdausi Suffian. Scopes of cooperation under the signed MoU included exchange of academic staff for teaching and research, student exchange programmes and organising joint conferences.

December also saw UiTM Malaysia and Universitas Persada Indonesia Y.A.I, Indonesia sign an MoU by Dr. Firdausi Suffian, Deputy Rector of Academic Affairs, UiTM Sabah branch, and Prof. Ir. Sri Astuti Indriyati, Rector of Universitas Persada Indonesia Y.A.I. The first collaboration between the two institutions was the Jewels of Borneo Autumn Programme, which took place immediately after the signing of the MoU until December 7th, 2022. The programme was co-directed by Ms. Delia L. OIaybal, Mr. Mohd. Arsy Ardy Bin Mohd Hardy, and Ms. Dewi Syukriah. The event saw the participation of over 200 students, with 11 speakers from both universities presenting on various topics. These topics included Sabah’s historical background, ethics and languages, the education system in Malaysia and Indonesia, academic writing tips and skills, English speaking enhancement, as well as the religions, beliefs, costumes, festivals, food, beverages in Sabah and attractions in Malaysia. This collaboration between UiTM and Universitas Persada Indonesia Y.A.I is a step towards promoting cultural exchange and improving education in the region.

Towards the end of 2022, UiTM Sabah proudly hosted the 6th IHT conference at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC). The three-day conference was co-organised by the Faculty of Hotel and Tourism Management of UiTM puncak Alam and UiTM Sabah. According to Dr. Tania Maria Tangit, the Head of Centre of Studies, Hotel and Tourism Management Faculty, UiTM Sabah Branch, the event had positively highlighted the growth of the local airline and tourism industries. Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) had also signed a memorandum of understanding between Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) and a memorandum of agreement between Briwijaya University, Indonesia. The conference dealt with four main issues: Selling Sabah as a Must-Visit Tourism Destination, Contemporary Trends and Challenges in Southeast Asian Tourism Cities, Halal or Muslim-Friendly Travel Markets

Furthermore, to promote the “Jewels of Borneo” programme, the Academic Affairs Department team made a social visit to the embassy of Switzerland in Kuala Lumpur, as well as to Xiamen University, Malaysia (Selangor) an ancillary branch of Xiamen University in China.

Thus, UiTM Sabah branch has successfully established collaborative opportunities in academia, industry, R&D and student activities through these memorandums, partnerships and visits. But there is no stopping there. The Academic Affairs Department at UiTM Sabah branch is eager to pursue further collaborations with other institutions and organisations in the future.

by Delia L. Olaybal and Jenna Desiree Robert

Doris Hong

- Joined in 2017.

- Favorite Honda is the Civic.

- 3 things that she likes about their teamwork is:

1) Respecting each other’s views and opinions

2) Having the passion for their work

3) Believes in the concept of “Work Hard & Play Hard”

Cleoo Patra

- Joined in 2014.

Annie Chua

- Joined in 2020.

- Favorite Honda is the Civic.

- 3 things that she likes about their teamwork is:

1) The team’s passion for doing sales

2) The challenge that comes from their new activities

3) How her unique personality and background contribute to the team

- Favorite Honda is the Civic

- 3 things that she likes about their teamwork is:

1) Being in the team

2) Being active & enjoying the lifestyle related to the team

3) Improving her own skills to contribute to the team

Ashleigh Hee

- First joined from 2015 to 2019, then again in 2022.

- Favorite Honda is the Civic.

- 3 things that he likes about their teamwork is:

1) His balance in the variety of clients he has

2) The exposure he experiences in the new markets they explore

3) The new concepts the team has in meeting customers and creating sales opportunities