PENANG, August 2015 – Academicians, especially those with professorship at all public universities (UA) have been sought to offer opinions, ideas and solutions on current issues and contribute to the development process of the nation.

The Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Professor Dato’ Dr. Omar Osman said, USM too is not exempted in playing the role towards developing the nation’s sustainable economy, social harmony and political stability among others.

He said, the professors are the nation’s asset in playing the role of utilising their expertise for the development of the human capital as well as the nation.

“The main source having the potential to be utilised is among the professors, who have the expertise in their own fields, which could be capitalised strategically towards the development of the people and the nation,’’ he said.

He mentioned this while commenting on the establishment of the National Professors Council (MPN) USM Chapter, simultaneously presenting certificates of appointment to ten academicians with professorships and being appointed into the respective group here recently.

The MPN USM Chapter is led by the top four committee members (AJK) comprising the Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer, followed by 6 Heads of Cluster.

All of them are appointed via an electronic selection process. The six respective clusters are of the Applied Science, Pure Science, Engineering, Health and Medical Sciences, Arts and Centres of Excellence in Research /Academics/Institutes.

The establishment of the MPN USM Chapter too was in line with the desire and responsibility accorded by the MPN at the national level, for the UA to mobilise its academicians for the purpose of initiating development for the people and the nation officially through MPN.

In the meantime, the Chairperson of MPN USM Chapter, Professor Dr. Abdul Latif Ahmad said, they would fulfil their commitment in mobilising the academicians in USM, according to their clusters, for activities which could contribute to the process of development of the human capital and the nation.

“Professors with expertise in their own fields are entrusted with the task of planning and utilising the best possible solutions to deal with the issues of the nation.”

“I hope that this effort would receive full support from the circle of professors in USM via their own clusters and hoping that everyone would be able to contribute to each cluster, and for such contributions to be forwarded for further discussions at the higher level,’’ he said.

His opinion was echoed by the Deputy Chairperson, Professor Dr. Ahmad Farhan Sadullah who opined that USM has its own role, especially in using the mould and strength of the university to benefit the development of the nation.

“Among the professors, we need to reassume the role of the nation’s thinkers as the mainstay in providing solutions to the nation’s issues.  With the capacity that is present in us, we will do our best to ensure that this noble effort becomes a success.

“This also serves as a platform for us to raise the standards of excellence of the university and at the same time creates an awareness at the national level,’’ he said.

He also said that, this initiative would ensure the nation would benefit and in a wider scope, it would provide more benefits too for the general public.

FULL LIST OF MEMBERS, MPN USM CHAPTER:

Chairperson

Professor Dr. Abdul Latif Ahmad

Deputy Chairperson

Professor Dr. Ahmad Farhan Sadullah

Honorary Secretary

Professor Dr. Abd. Karim Alias

Honorary Treasurer

Professor Dr. Zabidi AzharHusin@Mohd. Hussin

Head of Cluster for Applied Science

Professor Dato’ Ir. Dr. Mahyuddin Ramli

Head of Cluster for Pure Science

Professor Dr. Abd. Aziz Tajuddin

Head of Cluster for Arts

Professor Dato’ Dr. Abdul Rashid Mohamed

Head of Cluster for Health and Medical Sciences

Professor Dr. Zilfalil Alwi

Head of Cluster for Engineering

Professor Dr. Ahmad Fauzi Mohd. Noor

Head of Cluster for Centre of Excellence in Research/Academics/Institutes

Professor Dr. Merza Abbas

 

Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin/Text: Marziana Mohamed Alias