BEIJING STUDENTS TOP THE UMS NEWCOMERS

KOTA KINABALU: Students from China topped the list of international students who registered for the International Student Foundation Programme (ISFP) conducted by UMS Link Holdings Sdn Bhd, here, Monday.

A total of 98 international students between the ages of 18 and 22, comprising 95 from China, two from Turkey and one from Iraq would undergo a six-month preparatory course, which will prepare them for the certificate of English Language Competency and Foundation Examination.

UMS Vice Chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Harun Abdullah in his welcoming speech said UMS intends to increase the number of international students even further. Harun who was represented by the Centre for International Affairs Director Dr Jenny Liew said UMS would soon align its curriculum with the majority of education systems around the world.

"UMS is located at Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah which is known as the melting pot for multiracial and cosmopolitan attributes, having serene and splendid coastal areas as well as recreational avenues for all, I therefore hope students would develop strong friendship and learn from each other as well as from the locals," he said.

Meanwhile, UMS Link Holdings Acting Chief Operating Officer Wan Mohd Azeelan Adnan said the programme highlights English language skills at both introductory and intermediate levels and focuses on each skill suitable for learners of English as a second or foreign language.

"This would enable them to continue their undergraduate or postgraduate studies at UMS," he added.

He said many of the international alumni students have found employment as bankers, executives and managers in various sectors in their respective country.

"These alumni students becoming the international ambassadors for UMS shows the success of the ISFP in creating and nurturing creative and capable students.

Meanwhile, 18-year-old Nicole Lu Jia Yun, from Chengdu, Sichuan in China said she chose to study in UMS after picking up a book about Sabah at a bookstore nine months ago.

Lu, who has never travelled out of China said she was initially looking for a guide book on Cambodia but accidentally picked up a book on Malaysia.

"I started flipping through the pages randomly and that's when I read about Sabah," she said, adding that Sabah is such a beautiful place with lots of trees and many things which she doesn't see in her hometown.

"That's when I decided to come here to study," said Lu who plans to be an accountant.

For 18-year-old Stephen Lee Xiang also from China, coming here was already part of his plan because his brother was also studying at UMS.

"When he came back home, he said Sabah is good and UMS is among the most beautiful universities in the world and if I wanted to study abroad I should choose UMS," said Lee. "When I arrived here, the place is indeed so fresh, the jungle, the coconuts which I don't see in my hometown," he said, Meanwhile, 22-year-old Zaid Kamil from Baghdad said he chose UMS because it's recognised by the Ministry of Higher Education in Iraq and has a prestigious and good reputation.

"I was a bit confused when I landed here because it's the first time I've travelled outside my country but I'm impressed with this wonderful place," said Zaid who plans to continue his degree in Biotechnology here.