Day: January 3, 2023

GEORGE TOWN, Jan 3 (Bernama) — The Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) has announced the appointment of Datuk Prof Dr Abdul Rahman Mohamed as Universiti Sains Malaysia’s (USM) new vice-chancellor, effective today.

 

In a statement, MOHE said Abdul Rahman had served as the university’s deputy vice-chancellor (Industry and Community Networking) from May 1, 2016, to April 30, 2018, before being appointed as the deputy vice-chancellor (Research and Innovation) from May 1, 2018, to date.

 

“Besides having vast administrative experience, he is also a well-respected researcher especially in the field of Applied Sciences and Technologies, both locally and abroad.

 

 

 

 

“Being the only public university in Malaysia that has been selected as the Accelerated Programme for Excellence (APEX) university, the ministry is confident that Abdul Rahman’s appointment as USM vice-chancellor will strengthen the higher education sector and subsequently build a future that is more sustainable and prosper based on excellence,” said the statement.

 

Abdul Rahman graduated with an honours degree in chemical engineering from the University of Southern California in the United States.

 

He then did his Master’s and PhD in the same field at the University of New Hampshire, also in the United States.

 

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUCHING, Jan 3 (Bernama) — The usage of social media such as Telegram and WhatsApp should be intensified as another platform to preach and share Islamic ideas, especially to the new generation, said Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

 

He said with the advancement in communication technology, physical distance was no longer a barrier to instant connection and this should provide ample opportunities to further promote Islamic values.

 

“It is no longer abnormal that we have to adopt and adapt (new technology). I believe within a few years from now, we will be using hologram, which is a futuristic method of displaying an image using light to form a 3D object, and I had that experience in Korea (during a recent visit),” he said.

 

 

 

When opening the Regional Islamic Da’wah Council of Southeast Asia and the Pacific (RISEAP) 19th General Assembly here today, he said even the recent RISEAP regional exco meeting was conducted online via zoom.

 

According to him, with the continuity of excellent governance, RISEAP will be able to expand its reach beyond the current 24 member countries and increase its membership in the years to come.

 

“There are many opportunities for people from different religions to come together and raise mutual understanding. It requires confidence and openness to reach out and take the step that will bring us together by promoting interfaith understanding and working closely with other religious groups,” Abang Johari added.

 

 

RISEAP was formed on Nov 11, 1980 with the aim of bringing together Muslim-minority countries in the region.

 

Malaysia’s first Prime Minister, the late Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, served as its first president and the current president is Sarawak Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud, who succeeded Tunku Abdul Rahman in 1988.

 

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 3 (Bernama) — The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a warning of continuous rain for several parts of Sarawak, starting today until Jan 4.

 

According to a statement issued at 1.30 pm today, continuous rain is expected to occur in Kuching, Serian, Samarahan, Sri Aman, Betong, Sarikei, Sibu and Mukah.

 

Similar weather conditions are also expected to occur in several areas in Sabah, involving Sandakan (Telupid, Kinabatangan and Beluran) and Kudat.

 

 

 

MetMalaysia in the same statement also said that a similar forecast is also expected for Kelantan and Terengganu, for two days from Jan 6.

 

It said that in Kelantan areas involved are Tumpat, Pasir Mas, Kota Bharu, Jeli, Tanah Merah, Bachok, Machang, Pasir Puteh and Kuala Krai while for Terengganu it involves Besut, Setiu, Kuala Nerus and Kuala Terengganu.

 

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

 

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 3 (Bernama) — Professors and academics under the National Council of Professors (MPN) are invited to help and share their ideas and knowledge on the cost of living issues for the wellbeing of the people.

 

The invitation was made by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in a posting on Facebook after receiving a courtesy call from the MPN delegation led by its chairman, Distinguished Profesor Datuk Dr Shamsul Amri Baharuddin today.

 

“I’m sure with the expertise and knowledge of the academics and clusters that we have under the MPN, many data, studies, research and ideas can be shared for the development of the nation,” he said.

 

 

 

Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid said the main issue discussed during the meeting with the MPN today was more on the matters concerning the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) which he leads, especially involving Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

 

He said he welcomed the suggestions made by the MPN during the meeting, which lasted over two hours, and would ensure that the agencies under the ministry would continue to be empowered, especially in the TVET sector.

 

“I also hope that this session of sharing and celebrating opinions from these academics will continue to be held because this kind of meeting is a new corridor in an effort to get the latest input needed in ensuring that the national administration policy always meets the aspirations of the people,” he added.

 

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

 

SERDANG, Jan 3 (Bernama) — The Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association (MITA) has urged the government to issue clearer standard operating procedures (SOP) ahead of an influx of tourists arriving from China next Sunday.

 

Its president Uzaidi Udanis said this was to facilitate preparations by industry players, including airline companies and frontliners.

 

 

“We are proposing that the government issue the SOP as soon as possible to enable us enough time to comply with them,” he told the media at the introduction ceremony of MIHARA Aviation here today.

 

 

 

China will reopen its borders on Jan 8 after being closed for almost three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but there are concerns about the recent surge in COVID-19 cases in the country.

 

Meanwhile, Uzaidi said MITA’s collaboration with MIHARA Aviation, which is an airline that provides recreational light aircraft services, will be a new product for travel agents to attract more tourists to enjoy the beauty of the capital from the air.

 

He said MIHARA Aviation also wants to work with more travel companies to revive the tourism industry through ‘Helicopter Tour’ services around the capital.

 

 

“It is very important that we have innovative, new and creative products to attract tourists every year,” he said.

 

Source: BERNAMA News Agency