KOTA KINABALU: Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) is offering its research expertise to the Sabah government, particularly on matters pertaining to the economy and policies, among others.
Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan, UMS' board of directors chairman, also expressed UMS' keenness to work together with the state Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry as its science and technology advisor.
He said since all universities have been given autonomy to be self-sufficient, UMS and the state government could explore possible collaborations in many fields.
These were among the items raised by Abdul Rahman during a courtesy call to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor at the Sabah Administrative Centre, here yesterday.
The meeting, also attended by UMS vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Taufiq Yap Yun Hin, was to officially inform the Chief Minister of Abdul Rahman's appointment as one of the two pro chancellors of UMS, replacing former Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.
The other pro chancellor is Tan Sri Azman Hashim, who is chairman of AmBank.
Both Abdul Rahman and Dr Taufiq also briefed the Chief Minister on the latest developments and challenges faced by the varsity, such as student housing and the status of the UMS Smart Hospital building that has been delayed due to the pandemic.
Meanwhile, Hajiji said he hopes to see UMS produce more future entrepreneurs, especially among Sabah students, in the field of oil and gas.