LABUAN — The presence of new students at Universiti Malaysia Sabah Labuan International Campus (UMSKAL) has made a significant impact on the development of the Federal Territory of Labuan, particularly in the areas of the economy, tourism and cultural diversity.
UMSKAL director Prof Dr Shamsul Bahari Shamsudin said the university’s presence on the duty-free island had spurred infrastructure development while contributing to economic growth from various aspects.
He said UMSKAL had also indirectly inspired and motivated local youths to pursue higher education in the quest for a better future.
“UMSKAL, which is more than 20 years old, has served as a major higher education institution in the Federal Territory of Labuan.
“Since it began operations in 1999, UMSKAL has produced many successful alumni,” he said.
He said this at the Director’s Engagement and Introduction of Officers Session for UMSKAL’s 2026/2027 academic session at the Main Hall here today.
Also present were Labuan Faculty of International Finance (FKAL) dean Associate Prof Dr Geoffrey Harvey Tanakinjal, Faculty of Computing and Informatics (FKI) deputy dean (Postgraduate and International) Dr Nooralisa Tuah and UMSKAL head of administration Sharifah Ismail.
For the 2026/2027 academic session, UMSKAL has received 447 new students, with 328 enrolling at FKAL and 119 at FKI.
Of the total, 253 students are from Sabah, 127 from Peninsular Malaysia, 57 from Sarawak and 10 from Labuan.
UMSKAL currently has 236 staff, comprising 90 academic staff and 146 administrative personnel.
Shamsul Bahari said students should enhance their skills in communication, critical thinking and problem-solving, teamwork, morality and professional ethics, entrepreneurship, leadership and lifelong learning.
He said the university management would do its utmost to help students become outstanding graduates and members of the workforce capable of strengthening the country’s transformation process, driven by innovation and high-value creation while developing strong personal qualities.
“The journey of a student as a university undergraduate is very challenging and requires great perseverance and patience.
“Every effort must be strengthened because there are no shortcuts to achieving success.
“I also hope students will not rely entirely on what is taught by lecturers in the classroom, but will constantly explore the vast body of knowledge outside through reading and research so that they can progress to higher levels of education,” he said.
