PENANG, 12 May 2016 - In his visit to the United Kingdom recently, the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato' Dr. Omar Osman has met and held discussions with 12 fellowship candidates of the USM Academic Staff Training Scheme (ASTS) who are either completing their studies at the Doctoral (Ph.D) level or being posted at advanced laboratories in London, such as at Oxford University, Cambridge University, University of Reading and Imperial College London.

"In the discussions held, I have agreed to the plan for a Research Colloquium in the UK and Eire by the fellows of USM, with the cooperation of Education Malaysia UK and Eire early next year."

"The colloquium would involve experts from universities in the UK, providing opportunities to explore possibilities in areas having bright potentials in the future, not to mention that USM has around 60 ASTS fellows pursuing their Ph.D studies and with several others undergoing collaboration programmes between USM and universities in the UK and Eire," explained Omar.

He added further, USM plans to hold 'Nisha Khaled' theatre productions with the cooperation of several agencies and sponsors to internationalise USM theatre productions in London.Also present at the collaboration programmes and meetings held in London and Bath were the Director, Education Malaysia UK and Eire, Associate Professor Dr. Zainal Abidin Sanusi.

"USM is expected and is hoping to continue the cooperation with Education Malaysia to enhance the collaborative academic and research programmes in the UK and Eire," said Omar.

Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin

Text: Mohamad Abdullah