PENANG, 11 September 2015 – The organisation of an intellectual discourse with the participation of foreign ambasssadors in the country in the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) 2nd Ambassadors Summit 2015 can be seen as an initiative in enhancing strategic relations between the respective countries, more specifically in areas of higher education.

The USM 2^nd Ambassadors Summit 2015 Programme which would run for three days (11-13 Sept 2015) would commence with a welcoming dinner for the ambassadors as well as some of the representatives who are involved in the summit, to be followed for the next two days by presentation and brainstorming sessions, and to be concluded with a roundtable discussion.

Presentations would be done by the ambassadors or representatives of the ambassadors, who are involved directly or indirectly in areas concerning academics, research, innovations, student exchanges and collaborations involving USM; the discussions would focus on academic opportunities, knowledge, experiences and best practices, in relation to the development of higher education in the country.

Among the countries participating are France, Czech Republic, India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Denmark, Nigeria, Pakistan and Palestine.

The Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Prof. Dato’ Omar Osman said, bilateral relations between countries with the assistance of the embassies and strategic partnerships between the countries are proactive steps to expedite the global collaboration agenda which include matters on academics, research and innovation.

He said, this summit which is to be held for the second time, is hoped to enhance and strengthen existing relations, apart from providing a platform for dedicated discussions on various current issues and in seeking for potential refinements to the current system concerning foreign relations.

“We hope to heighten the inter-university relations by sustaining and strengthening relations with the respective embassies and consulates from time to time.”

“This could provide a more dynamic perspective as the embassies and consulates would be the authority in providing reliable and accurate data, as well as offering advices in deciding on the best options, where academic and research cooperations are concerned,” he said.

Added Omar, this initiative also reflects the commitment of USM in providing the drive towards excellence in the higher education sector in the country (with the cooperation of the foreign embassies and consulates Malaysia) in ensuring that various diplomatic concerns could be better facilitated.

Meanwhile, the 2^nd USM Ambassadors Summit 2015 with the theme ‘Enhancing Global Collaborations’ also aims to define and provide in detail the roles, objectives and goals of USM as the only university in the country to be chosen to implement the Accelerated Programme for Excellence (APEX).

It will put greater focus on issues concerning international students who are undergoing their studies here, apart from providing a better understanding to the ambassadors on the advantages and welfare provisions made available to the international students.

Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin/Text: Marziana Mohamed Alias