SANDAKAN: A central lecture hall complex valued at RM91 million has been proposed for construction at the Sustainable Agriculture Faculty of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Sandakan Campus, to meet increasing academic infrastructure needs.
Higher Education Minister Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said the project falls under the supervision of his ministry and will be executed by the Public Works Department (JKR).
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He said the construction of the hall is a vital necessity, aligned with the growth of the campus since its establishment in 2008, and the expansion of the study programmes offered.
The Minister expressed his hope that the finalised plans would not face any delays.
“Once the university has planned and the ministry has made a decision, the implementing parties must ensure that the project is completed on schedule,” he told the media during a working visit to the campus at Sungai Batang in Mile 10, here, Thursday.
Dr Zambry said the proposed hall, to be built on an eight-acre site, is expected to serve as the primary lecture hub to support teaching and learning at the Sustainable Agriculture Faculty.
During the visit, he also reviewed the faculty’s academic progress and praised the university’s approach to integrating modern technology, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), into the agriculture field.
He said the agricultural courses offered are not only relevant to current industry needs but also keep pace with rapid technological advancements in the sector.
Dr Zambry also visited the campus mosque, which had previously faced construction delays. It has now been fully completed at a cost of RM4.5 million and can accommodate up to 1,000 worshippers.
He expressed hope that the facility would be fully utilised by both the campus community and local residents.
As part of the visit, the Minister also toured the Stingless Bee (Madu Kelulut) Insectarium and planted a tree in the grounds of the Sustainable Agriculture Faculty’s administration building.
