The Philosophy Behind The Sahabat UCSF
Sahabat UCSF is looked upon as an emergent concept, generated from the University College Sabah Foundation’s Green Concept and Philosophy. It is founded on an understanding of UCSF as an ecosystem. In this ecosystem there features of interconnectedness, interdependency and sustainability towards the generation of wellbeing among all its participants, through their participatory actions and establishment of relationships. In a way the Green Concept and Philosophy leads to the establishment of a symbiotic relationship.
Thus we recognize UCSF is more than its active ‘warga’, i.e. the community of staff and students involved on a daily basis driving the institution.
Why do we subscribe to this perspective?
As a higher learning institution, UCSF’s primary commitment is to extend its academic related services to all who participate at various levels; the students who come to engage in learning, the academic staffs who provide teaching-learning experience and the rest for the supporting services. All these ‘warga’ contribute to an active dynamic ecosystem that generates and disseminates knowledge, enhance skills, and develops products as well as services.
As an active and dynamic organization UCSF will always have participants who come to engage as those who leave the active ‘warga’ population, as our graduates, successful apprentices and staffs looking for greener pastures. These are usually regarded as alumni. Taking cognizance of the digital era and networking as new ways of establishing relationships UCSF would like to leverage these features to create and maintain an extended and a growing ecosystem.
An Eco-centric Community Which Continues To Interact & Connect
In this expansive and ever dynamic ecosystem we would like to create a new group or entity, Sahabat UCSF (friends of UCSF). In our way of looking at things the Sahabat is a member of UCSF, an interconnected group of participants. Through our extended platform the Sahabat has the capacity to build a relationships with UCSF. Not only are they connected but will gain from an interdependent win-win relationship.
As a Sahabat each participant will be able to remain within the larger UCSF ecosysytem/network, creating new nodes of activities.
A Sahabat Network That Maintain Everlasting Friendship
We, at UCSF, also visualizes the inner core warga maintaining a harmonious relationship, or friendship, with those who had moved out, after interacting with UCSF, into the wider outer world to establish new ventures in their personal lives.
The Sahabat gains from being within the network of UCSF. They will be kept informed of developments in UCSF while the warga of UCSF will also be kept in the loop of new happenings by the Sahabat. Similarly, UCSF can always tap into the rich pool of talents when it needs the expertise and assistance of the Sahabat. Sahabat will gain from outsourcing of UCSF’ projects and ventures.
The Collective Strength of Sahabat UCSF
The Sahabat UCSF scheme aims to bring together our associates and partners, consolidating the expertise and resources, and helping each entity within a larger context to thrive and grow by leveraging on each other strengths and supports, within an ecosystem context.
Understanding that each and everyone of us have our own limitation, we believe in the strength of collectivism, i.e. in sharing and pooling together all the expertise, resources and opportunities.
We are a community and will share the fruits of our labour with the Sahabat community. Currently, UCSF has the following set up to foster collaboration and networking, as well as social engagement with our stakeholders which include our alumni, trainees, business associates, both local and international.
NIAG Platform
With the existing resources such as Nature Inspiration Art Gallery (NIAG), we endeavour to create and share our windows of opportunities that NIAG have slowly build up. For example, it can be in the form of calling upon the pool of trainees, be they the new or old, who may wish to participate in our activities, or activities which we have been invited or called upon to participate.
These activities could be participation in special themed exhibitions, showcasing the arts and crafts produced by the trainees as well as the master artists of UCSF.
Or it could be trade shows, where they may be called upon to participate and display their art works or products. The aim is to provide avenues for sales. A platform like NIAG is a viable platform for the artists to promote and conduct the trading aspect, as we, at UCSF, understand that despite having acquired the skills, there remains the challenge of positioning and exposing Sahabat products to the correct audiences.
To this end, apart from having the physical gallery, the overall infrastructure also has the online gallery, which aims to showcase the unique Sabahan expressions globally.
We would like to promote ‘arts’ as a meaningful gifts or gesture of goodwill. Therefore, we encourage our Sahabat, especially our corporate Sahabat to check out the various beautifully crafted artworks which we have designed and crafted. They can be birthday, anniversary or gift for a new home or office, as well as symbolic gesture of long term friendship and sharing.
Training & Lifelong Learning Courses & Programmes
Being a 21st century focused institution, UCSF understands the mounting pressures on today’s workforce and the need for continuous learning; unlearning and relearning to be relevant and effective. Through its Teaching & Learning Factory (TLF), UCSF and its associates regularly conducts short technical courses which aim to provide and uplift the knowhow of today’s workforce with modern and contemporary skill sets and concepts which they can apply, and thereby becoming more relevant.
In addition, lifestyle-focused trainings for harmonizing life-work will be featured. These are meant to fulfil the need to balance the mind, heart and soul which are subjected to the urban din and fast-paced lifestyles. As a Green Institution we would like to bring back the peace, relaxed and calming effects of nature, thereby revitalising your energy, mood and confidence.
Through our Sahabat communication channel, these short courses will be disseminated and prioritised in such a way that the Sahabat are given priority, apart from being offered a special discount for their participations.
UCSF Campus Facilities
UCSF campus is well equipped and with special rooms created for specific training purposes. It boasts a wide collections of facilities including big, medium and small classrooms, computer labs, theatres, multipurpose halls, exhibition areas, as well as specially designed activity rooms for interactive workshops.
These facilities are opened to our Sahabat who wish to lease for their own activities, celebrations or trainings.
UCSF Campus Amenities (IJAU, Gym, Dance-room, Library)
Being situated at the heart of Kota Kinabalu city, it makes accessibility convenient. UCSF always welcome its alumni and friends to visit its campus, be it to have a refreshing sip of green tea at its green café called IJAU, or for an exuberating bout of Zumba or Karate at its modern dance room, or flexing one’s muscles at UCSF gym.
In addition, there is also the library, which is not only a conducive place for a quiet getaway but a place for calm reflection. It is also equipped with internet ready workstations, meeting rooms and spaces for discussion.
Why not make full use of the Sahabat privilege which you have been provided to enhance your intellectual prowess and capacity? By showing your Sahabat card, you will be entitled to use the library facilities free of charge.
UCSF Professional Services & Consultancy
In today’s constantly changing world, problem solving is becoming ever more complex. Unlike before its solution is better resolve through collaboration.
UCSF also opens its door to its Sahabat be it for simple interactions, exchange of views, or engagement with expertise. Because we are proud of our community of Sahabat and passionate about their success we are constantly seeking and creating opportunities, to extend our capabilities to make our Sahabat or their businesses even more successful and sustainable.
Hence, we welcome any engagement, including seeking our professional services towards overcoming a challenge, a strategic problem resolution, or even devising solutions or designs.
Sahabat UCSF Benefits
The incubating facilities, amenities and services as outlined here are opened to the public but by being a Sahabat UCSF, you will be entitled to the following privileges and discounts:
♦ Sahabat will receive 15% discount to any purchases and amenity services from UCSF and NIAG outlets.
♦ You may also receive 15% discount when you subscribe to our training, uplifting and lifelong learning courses.
♦ Priority for bookings will also be provided
♦ Alumni registering their siblings in UCSF academic programmes will be entitled to 15% discount.
♦ UCSF Sahabat will also receive vouchers and invitations to our special events.
To enjoy these benefits, you just need to show your UCSF Sahabat card.
Community networking & services
Despite its young age, UCSF has planted and will continue to be planting many new seeds for future growth. We encourage these seeds to become not only the pillars of the Sahabat community, but serve towards their home coming. These home comings are not a homage for remembering one’s root, but more in the spirit of keeping in cognizant of respecting the pioneers of UCSF’s success. This development towards creating an expansive community is to nurture growth and foster more success in a wider ecosystem.
As part of the ongoing efforts, the Sahabat UCSF ecosystem will expand to link the services of our many alumni, and friends, thereby creating a network of bonding and opportunities for individuals and entrepreneurs to leverage for their own accessibility, business expansion or even leisure.