Kota Kinabalu: Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) recognised 533 of its academic, management, professional and support staff at its annual University Excellence Awards (AKU), Tuesday.
The ceremony celebrated outstanding achievements, commitment, and contributions in areas such as academics, research, innovation, community service, and leadership.
UMS Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Kasim Mansor said eight award categories were presented — the Jasamu Dikenang Award, Excellent Service Award (APC), Mutiara Award, Sanjungan Budi Award, Jasa Setia Award, Jasa Bakti Award, Innovation Award, and the Vice-Chancellor’s Special Award.
A total of 33 retirees were honoured with the Jasamu Dikenang Award for their years of dedicated service. The Excellent Service Award was presented to 160 staff who maintained clean disciplinary records and consistent performance scores of 90 per cent and above throughout 2024.
Of these, 101 were first-time recipients despite having served more than five years with an excellent record.
The Mutiara Award was presented to 10 staff who have served for 30 years, while 68 received the Sanjungan Budi Award for over 25 years of service. Another 65 staff were given the Jasa Setia Award for 20 years of service, and others received the Jasa Bakti Award for 10-year contributions.
Innovation Awards were presented in eight categories including the Innovation Driver Group Award, UMS Financial Management Award, Financial Innovation Award, Revenue Generation Award, Digital Transformation Award, Laboratory Management Award, Best Organisation Management Award and the UMS Sustainability Impact Award.
The Vice-Chancellor’s Special Award was presented to four individuals for their national and international achievements and exemplary leadership: Ts. Dr Ag Sufiyan Abdul Hamid, Director of the Community Engagement Sustainability Centre (Academic category); Firdaus Abdullah, Director of the Land Management Division (Administration category); Assoc Prof Ts. Dr Mohd Hanafi Ahmad Hijazi, Dean of the Faculty of Computing and Informatics (Head of Department category) and Rosnani Saibin, Administrative Assistant, Faculty of Education and Sports Studies (Support Staff category).
In addition, 1,695 staff received Certificates of Commendable Service (APT) for achieving annual performance scores of 90 per cent and above in 2024, but who were not eligible for the Excellent Service Award.
In his speech, Kasim stressed the importance of resource optimisation through the “Efficient Frontier” concept by American economist Harry Markowitz.
“In the university context, resources include quality human capital, advanced technology and a systematic delivery system. With efficient management, we can reach an optimum point where productivity and quality move in tandem without wastage,” he said at the event held at a local hotel.
UMS Board of Directors Chairman, Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan, was also in attendance.
The ceremony celebrated outstanding achievements, commitment, and contributions in areas such as academics, research, innovation, community service, and leadership.
UMS Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Kasim Mansor said eight award categories were presented — the Jasamu Dikenang Award, Excellent Service Award (APC), Mutiara Award, Sanjungan Budi Award, Jasa Setia Award, Jasa Bakti Award, Innovation Award, and the Vice-Chancellor’s Special Award.
A total of 33 retirees were honoured with the Jasamu Dikenang Award for their years of dedicated service. The Excellent Service Award was presented to 160 staff who maintained clean disciplinary records and consistent performance scores of 90 per cent and above throughout 2024.
Of these, 101 were first-time recipients despite having served more than five years with an excellent record.
The Mutiara Award was presented to 10 staff who have served for 30 years, while 68 received the Sanjungan Budi Award for over 25 years of service. Another 65 staff were given the Jasa Setia Award for 20 years of service, and others received the Jasa Bakti Award for 10-year contributions.
Innovation Awards were presented in eight categories including the Innovation Driver Group Award, UMS Financial Management Award, Financial Innovation Award, Revenue Generation Award, Digital Transformation Award, Laboratory Management Award, Best Organisation Management Award and the UMS Sustainability Impact Award.
The Vice-Chancellor’s Special Award was presented to four individuals for their national and international achievements and exemplary leadership: Ts. Dr Ag Sufiyan Abdul Hamid, Director of the Community Engagement Sustainability Centre (Academic category); Firdaus Abdullah, Director of the Land Management Division (Administration category); Assoc Prof Ts. Dr Mohd Hanafi Ahmad Hijazi, Dean of the Faculty of Computing and Informatics (Head of Department category) and Rosnani Saibin, Administrative Assistant, Faculty of Education and Sports Studies (Support Staff category).
In addition, 1,695 staff received Certificates of Commendable Service (APT) for achieving annual performance scores of 90 per cent and above in 2024, but who were not eligible for the Excellent Service Award.
In his speech, Kasim stressed the importance of resource optimisation through the “Efficient Frontier” concept by American economist Harry Markowitz.
“In the university context, resources include quality human capital, advanced technology and a systematic delivery system. With efficient management, we can reach an optimum point where productivity and quality move in tandem without wastage,” he said at the event held at a local hotel.
UMS Board of Directors Chairman, Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan, was also in attendance.
