SIDMA College UNITAR Sabah and Waseda University of Tokyo collaborated for the Borneo Project Counterpart Club, and was co-launched by Puan Azizah Khalid Merican (CEO SIDMA College UNITAR Sabah) and Mr Ren Matsuki (Leader, 21st Borneo Project Waseda University, Japan) on 22 February 2016 at SIDMA College Atrium, Kota Kinabalu. The initiative marked the bonding of the two higher learning institutions between the two countries in the field of education and research for the underprivileged children.
Together with volunteers from two other higher learning institutions in Sabah, namely University Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and Sabah Institute of Art (SIA), these Borneo Project Counterpart Club volunteers managed to cooperate, collaborate and conduct various voluntary activities as well as get connected with the local communities and managed to discuss related educational issues of the underprivileged children, particularly in areas that they visited such as Ranau, Tambunan and others.
Their third visit to SIDMA College on 24 February 2017 was warmly received by Dr Morni Hj Kambrie (Founder and Chairman of SIDMA College UNITAR Sabah), Managers, Heads of Departments, lecturers and staff of SIDMA College. SIDMA Dance Club, Prima Dansa, also put up a special dance performance to welcome SIDMA’s special guests from Waseda University of Tokyo.
Dr Morni in his welcoming address to the volunteers from Waseda University of Tokyo for their discussion as well as launching the 2017 segment of the Borneo Project Counterpart Club at SIDMA Atrium on 24 February 2017; expressed his highest appreciation to all staff and students of Waseda University for their willingness to collaborate and cooperate with SIDMA College in the field of education and research through the exchange of students (volunteers) and academic staff, collaborating and exchange of academic information as well as professional development cooperation and community programmes. He added that their first educational and research project was at SK Libang, Ranau in 2015; and that SIDMA College UNITAR Sabah is proud of this initiative, building collaboration, cooperation and connections, and he hoped that these initiatives will be a platform for further future collaboration. It’s through such valuable interactive opportunities, and exchange of ideas with other people from another country, that activate socialization and pull out the real potential of our students communication skills, he added.
Mr Gakuto Miyachi, (Representative from Japan Borneo Project Team) thanked Dr Morni and SIDMA College UNITAR Sabah for their willingness to collaborate and support Waseda University, Japan to fulfil it role of advancing social contributions, as well as to support the studying and actions of their students. Such activities provide opportunities for students to cooperate with a variety of partners which indirectly will develop individual strength as well as developing the aptitude for performing in society.
Also present during the occasion were Mr Delvin J. Saupin (Coordinator, Borneo Project Sabah), and Ms Kameniska Aggullana (President of SIDMA College Borneo Project Counterpart Club) as well as SIDMA College Student Representative Counsel members and students.
The team of volunteers later proceeded for their round table discussion on their action plan for 2017. The volunteers spent their weekend at Kudat, where they were brought to a Rungus Longhouse and being entertained by the local Rungus tribes with traditional food and cultural dances. The team was also being brought to visit the “Tip of Borneo”, a bee farm as well a Gong factory at Kudat.
By Teo Eng Seng and Mr Zain Azrai Bin Mohd Noor,
SIDMA College UNITAR Sabah,
KOTA KINABALU.
