Kota Kinabalu: Studies and observations by Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) showed the Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan’s (UNK) can lead to careers that prioritise physical appearance and public speaking.
Prof Dr James Alin from the UMS Faculty of Business, Economics and Accounting found that the first, second and third winners of UNK earned double the income compared to non-winners.
“The income of non-winning participants is greatly influenced by the level of education, meaning the higher the education, the higher the income,” he said in a statement, Tuesday.
Dr James said this was based on a study titled “Does it pay to be good looking” conducted on 50 winners and 50 non-winners of UNK during 1990-2015.
According to him, the same study that was also conducted on Kumang and Keling Gawai in Pontianak, West Kalimantan produced the same findings.
In public speaking and fluency in ethnic languages, it was found that these two aspects contributed significantly to the victory of UNK.
Dr Henry Bating, Chairman of Kadazandusun Language at the UMS Centre for the Promotion of Knowledge and Language Learning (PPIB), observed the language proficiency of the finalists of the UNK at the district level and the Kaamatan grand celebration at Hongkod Koisaan, Penampang.
Dr Henry evaluates public speaking in the aspects of introduction, language rhetoric, delivery, content and conclusion.
While in ethnic language fluency, he evaluates aspects of listening skills, understanding questions, knowledge of facts, high-level thinking, accurate use of language, speech and attitude.
Commenting on MYAirline’s Miss Borneo, Dr Henry found that the beauty premium, public speaking skills and ethnic language proficiency were used to select 32 participants to be absorbed as the flight’s cabin crew.
