PENANG, 17 March 2015 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is determined to drive excellence with the input of a group consisting of young strategic thinkers who have been identified as potential future leaders of the university.

The special meeting between these 40 young lecturers and administrators with the Vice-Chancellor of USM, Professor Dato’ Dr. Omar Osman took place here today. 

“Young Strategic Thinkers For USM’s Future” is a special programme that has identified middle management lecturers and administrators who will collaborate in planning and crafting a framework to drive excellence for USM’s future.

“The group comprises individuals who have been identified and invited to contribute futuristic ideas and input to plan and craft USM’s future direction. It is hoped that this effort will steer their youthful minds towards strategic planning for the future direction of the university, in line with the Malaysian Educational Development Plan,” said Omar.

He explained that the group has been given three weeks to construct a framework and suggest plans for the future direction of the university, without any limitations or specific plans to be catered to. This is because the aim of the university in implementing this programme is to gauge the extent to which the ideas of this group of young thinkers can be adopted.

In a special interview, the Vice-Chancellor stated that the group has been divided into nine teams comprising Research, Human Resources, Financial Matters, Academic Matters, Knowledge Exchange, Student Development and Medical Issues.

This group of lecturers and administrators will work directly with the Vice-Chancellor’s Office to ensure proper implementation of their plans for the next 10 to 20 years.

Omar stressed that lecturers and administrators need to be more holistic and look ahead to the future scenario, in addition to being aligned with current plans in order to propel the university towards excellence.

In his opening speech, Omar expressed his hope that the group would contribute their efforts and ideas on a voluntary basis to ensure future sustainability.

Associate Professor Dr Muzaimi Mustapha, a lecturer in Medicine from the School of Medical Sciences in the Health Campus is one of the participants in this programme. He is pleased to be a member of the group and hopes that its suggested plans will be able to drive excellence in the field of medical science specifically, so that USM would be on par with other renowned medical centres at the international level.

Principal Assistant Registrar of the Registrar’s Office, Khairul Eruwan Abdul Halim meanwhile expressed his hope to be able to raise the profile of the university as a leader in human resource management systems. He also hoped to contribute towards USM’s aspirations in championing sustainability.

Also present at the event were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International Affairs), Professor Dato’ Dr. Ahmad Shukri Mustapa Kamal; the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Professor Dato’ Dr. Muhamad Jantan; Registrar Puan Siti Zubaidah A. Hamid; Acting Bursar Dr. Rohayati Mohd Isa, heads of department and other lecturers. - Translation: Dr. Nurul Farhana Low Abdullah/Text:  Siti Naquiah Binti Abdillah/Photos: Mohd Fairus Md. Isa