PENANG, 28 September 2015 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is striving to enhance future talents in order to produce graduates who are able to embrace globalisation, are well-received and marketable in fulfilling global market demands through the APEX Scholar Programme, a collaborative effort between the Division of Students Affairs & Development and Alumni (HEPA) and the Centre for Academic Excellence & Student Advisory and Development (CDAE).

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (HEPA), Professor Dato’ Dr. Adnan Hussein explained that the programme, which caters to undergraduates, aims to develop and produce students who excel at academics and are reinforced with holistic skill sets, empowered with leadership qualities and the ability to interact at international level.

“The Apex Scholar programme is based on intellectual development which refines leadership skills besides being trans-disciplinary, implemented through various modules throughout the students’ three or four years at the USM campus,” said Adnan.

This programme is in line with the APEX Second Phase agenda, which aims to produce global minded talents. It will be funded by the APEX Second Phase funds with additional sponsorship and cooperation from the industries or companies keen to be industrial training hosts or even future employers of these graduates.

Adnan pointed out that this newly-introduced, one of its kind programme by USM is holistic and intensive, and is meant to strengthen the intellectual capacity and leadership capabilities of the students whereby the impact will only be realised and become apparent after having undergone modules in all the six domains namely creativity, innovation, language skills, critical and innovative-thinking, and global knowledge.

“In the end, we would like to see the participants mastering the skills of an Apex Scholar, enabling them to compete with the many other graduates from other universities, and attain success through personal traits such as self-confidence and language competency that will enable them to move ahead rapidly and become leaders in their respective organisations,” said Adnan.

He further stressed that in producing graduates through this Apex Scholar Programme, the university aims to produce future leaders in various sectors not only in the area of public administration, but also in the private sector who will contribute towards nation building with a strong sense of patriotism and national identity.

The modules used in this programme encompass skills in writing, critical and innovative thinking whilst placing emphasis on values to become future leaders.

The first phase of the Apex Scholar programme begins in the current semester, involving around 50 to 80 students from various Schools, selected through interviews from among the more than 200 applicants who aspired to be involved in the programme. This intensive programme is to be conducted during the semester holidays, as well as over every weekend during the semester.

“We truly hope that through their involvement in this programme the students will enhance their academic achievements and enjoy the opportunity to undergo industrial training abroad which may include stints at universities offering leadership programmes for a minimum duration of one semester,” said Adnan.

Adnan further explained that the modules are in the final stages of writing and will be followed by training for the programme facilitators before the programme is implemented. As the programme is multi-disciplinary in nature, each module is a combination of various disciplines.

“In the innovation module for instance, we hope that the students from the various disciplines will collaborate and synergise their different ways of thinking to produce innovative ideas in carrying out their projects," he said.

Adnan expressed his hope that the Apex Scholar programme will be able to produce graduates with the requisite skills and leadership capabilities to equip them to be future leaders, as well as serve as role models who will inspire their peers in all aspects.

Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin & Dr. Nurul Farhana Low Abdullah

Text: Syuhada Abd. Aziz

Foto: Mohd Fairus Md. Isa