Kota Kinabalu: Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) has rolled out two new initiatives aimed at strengthening its sustainability agenda and cultivating a culture of excellence – the launch of the SDG-ESG Cluster with the UMS Sustainability Impact Award, and the introduction of MyKompetensi 2.0 alongside the UMS Leadership Talent programme.
UMS Board of Directors Chairman, Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan, said the establishment of the SDG-ESG Cluster and Sustainability Impact Award marked a strategic step for the university in leading the sustainability agenda.
“This initiative is not just a symbol of commitment but a comprehensive movement that mobilises the entire UMS community to foster and strengthen a culture of sustainability at every level – from education and research to governance and community engagement,” he said during the The Sustainability Impact Award recognises outstanding achievements that deliver tangible impact in environmental preservation, community empowerment, and best governance practices, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Meanwhile, the launch of MyKompetensi 2.0 and UMS Leadership Talent underlines the university’s commitment to embedding excellence as a long-term culture.
“The system is a strategic platform to identify potential, strengthen competencies and recognise achievements transparently, based on the latest standards.
“Through continuous development, every UMS staff member will be empowered to contribute at the highest level, keeping the university relevant nationally and globally,” Abdul Rahman said.
He added that the UMS Leadership Talent programme will ensure continuity in driving the university’s strategic direction by grooming visionary, high-performing and ethical leaders.
“These two initiatives complement each other in moving UMS towards greater excellence in line with the aspirations of Malaysia MADANI and the Public Sector Transformation Plan,” he said, noting that the move also aligns with the recently announced Public Service Talent Development Policy, which takes effect on Sept 1.
The policy, unveiled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the 20th Premier Public Service Address on Aug 16, focuses on merit- and competency-based assessment, continuous upskilling, and a culture of high performance.
It includes talent mapping, large-scale leadership development programmes, strategic partnerships with universities and industry, as well as the use of technology and data in talent management.
To support this, the Government also introduced the Academic Recognition Award (HPA) for public servants who pursue higher studies on their own initiative, with cash incentives of RM1,250 for PhD holders, RM1,000 for Master’s, RM750 for Bachelor’s and RM500 for Diploma or equivalent qualifications.
An additional RM3 million has also been allocated to the National Institute of Public Administration (INTAN), alongside the extension of the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL.Q) programme until 2026.
“These initiatives should be fully leveraged by UMS staff as encouragement for lifelong learning. As a higher education provider, UMS should also see this as an opportunity to increase postgraduate enrolment and expand commercial programmes,” he said.
Abdul Rahman also congratulated UMS staff and retirees who were recognised at the university’s 2025 Excellence Awards ceremony, expressing hope that the recognition would further inspire dedication, integrity and commitment in service.
UMS Board of Directors Chairman, Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan, said the establishment of the SDG-ESG Cluster and Sustainability Impact Award marked a strategic step for the university in leading the sustainability agenda.
“This initiative is not just a symbol of commitment but a comprehensive movement that mobilises the entire UMS community to foster and strengthen a culture of sustainability at every level – from education and research to governance and community engagement,” he said during the The Sustainability Impact Award recognises outstanding achievements that deliver tangible impact in environmental preservation, community empowerment, and best governance practices, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Meanwhile, the launch of MyKompetensi 2.0 and UMS Leadership Talent underlines the university’s commitment to embedding excellence as a long-term culture.
“The system is a strategic platform to identify potential, strengthen competencies and recognise achievements transparently, based on the latest standards.
“Through continuous development, every UMS staff member will be empowered to contribute at the highest level, keeping the university relevant nationally and globally,” Abdul Rahman said.
He added that the UMS Leadership Talent programme will ensure continuity in driving the university’s strategic direction by grooming visionary, high-performing and ethical leaders.
“These two initiatives complement each other in moving UMS towards greater excellence in line with the aspirations of Malaysia MADANI and the Public Sector Transformation Plan,” he said, noting that the move also aligns with the recently announced Public Service Talent Development Policy, which takes effect on Sept 1.
The policy, unveiled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the 20th Premier Public Service Address on Aug 16, focuses on merit- and competency-based assessment, continuous upskilling, and a culture of high performance.
It includes talent mapping, large-scale leadership development programmes, strategic partnerships with universities and industry, as well as the use of technology and data in talent management.
To support this, the Government also introduced the Academic Recognition Award (HPA) for public servants who pursue higher studies on their own initiative, with cash incentives of RM1,250 for PhD holders, RM1,000 for Master’s, RM750 for Bachelor’s and RM500 for Diploma or equivalent qualifications.
An additional RM3 million has also been allocated to the National Institute of Public Administration (INTAN), alongside the extension of the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL.Q) programme until 2026.
“These initiatives should be fully leveraged by UMS staff as encouragement for lifelong learning. As a higher education provider, UMS should also see this as an opportunity to increase postgraduate enrolment and expand commercial programmes,” he said.
Abdul Rahman also congratulated UMS staff and retirees who were recognised at the university’s 2025 Excellence Awards ceremony, expressing hope that the recognition would further inspire dedication, integrity and commitment in service.