Kota Kinabalu: Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) may introduce a new programme called Fellow Kinabalu, based on a proposal by the Chairman of the UMS Board of Directors, Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan.
He announced this idea during the UMS Pearl Jubilee Commemoration at Dewan Canselor, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, recently
In his speech, Datuk Seri Panglima Abdul Rahman Dahlan emphasised the importance of understanding geopolitics, competition, and Malaysia’s position in Southeast Asia to ensure a better future for the people of Sabah.
He suggested that UMS invite the best orators from around the world to hold lectures similar to the distinguished lectures at the university.
He also proposed the Fellow Kinabalu programme, aimed at providing opportunities for students interested in becoming interns for ministers and deputy ministers.
This programme would enable students to understand how the government functions and prepare them to become better leaders in the future.
“The Fellow Kinabalu programmr in Peninsula Malaysia, at Petra, was only offered to government ministers.
“However, I hope the university board agrees with me to not only send our interns to government ministers and state officials but also to send one, two, or three interns to the opposition leader in the State Legislative Assembly,” he said.
He stressed that both the government and opposition are crucial institutions in a democratic system and need to be of international standard to ensure the progress of Sabah.
“We want the government to be the best in the world, but at the same time, we also want the Sabah opposition to be the best in the world,” he added.
Abdul Rahman hopes the idea will elevate the standard and stature of Universiti Malaysia Sabah in international relations in the future.
