UNIVERSITI Malaysia Sabah (UMS) is keeping a close watch on its students and staff to prevent militancy and extremist influences from seeping into the varsity.
Although the university is free from radical influences, its vice-chancellor, Prof D. Kamarudin
D. Mudin, said UMS was taking several precautionary measures to combat radicalism.
“We are fortunate that this has not been a problem to us, which means our students and academicians as well as non-academic staff show no inclination for it.
“But, of course, at the university level, we always raise awareness and tell our students and staff to avoid extremist views.
“In anything we do, the varsity encourages them to be diplomatic, respectful of others, and accept different views in the spirit of unity and tolerance,” he said at Istana Negeri here recently.
He added that there was also a need for varsities to monitor the activities of their students and staff, especially on social media and the Internet, where information was accessible.
Last week, Kamarudin was conferred with Panglima Gemilang Darjah Kinabalu (PGDK) award, which carries the title “Datuk”. The Sabah award investiture ceremony was held at Istana Negeri.
Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin presented the award, witnessed Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman.
In expressing his gratitude to the state government, Kamarudin said he was committed to continue working hard in his mission to boost UMS’ academic quality and competitiveness.
“With this recognition (PGDK), I am dedicated to playing my role and contribute more to Sabah. I hope to make UMS as internationally-known public university.
“I will work to make UMS attractive to foreigners as the presence of foreign students will boost the varsity’s reputation not only in the country, but also globally,” he said.
Kamarudin said many international students enrolled at UMS because of its interesting programmes.
He said professional programmes business, aquaculture, and biodiversity were popular among foreign students from China, Indonesia, Brunei, and Japan.
“It’s just that we need to have a strategy in moving the varsity with the times to remain relevant.”
Kamarudin also said the varsity had foreign lecturers and academicians from Indonesia, South Korea, Japan, and India to elevate UMS’ teaching and education.