USM, PENANG, 1 June 2016 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) would kickstart its programme known as ‘Business Income Generation’ (BIG) to form the basis towards income generation for the university.

The Vice-Chancellor of USM, Professor Dato’ Dr. Omar Osman explained that the concept of ‘BIG’ is used in making certain changes to the financial structure and procedures for the purpose of income generation, in facing the current economic changes and challenges.

“In 2016, we are facing a situation where we are required to be more independent and given more autonomy to run the university, and to seek for ideas on generating our own income from the available sources.

This includes utilising the capacity of the staff and the USM community as well as the existing facilities through more creative means to generate income,” said Omar.

Speaking to approximately 100 USM staff from several PTJs at the monthly gathering here, the Vice-Chancellor stressed that, the branding of this BIG programme is done to focus all the efforts of the USM community, while continue to offer quality teaching and learning.

“We also hope to produce students with HEBAT characteristics, and to yield high-impact and prominent research outcomes,” he added.

Omar urged the whole USM community to work towards the success of the BIG agenda by instilling it as an entrepreneurial culture, especially among the Heads of Departments in ensuring that USM could generate and sustain the earnings to support the university’s operations in the future.

“USM also has unlimited resources in terms of its highly-competitive and exceptional staff, with the capacity to assist the university in generating income from various aspects.

“Similarly, the existing facilities in USM could be rented out to external agencies and this indirectly could provide income to the university,” he added.

Apart from that, USM would be making changes and transformation to its subsidiary, USAINS Holding, to become a more competitive business entity in assisting the university in income generation activities.

The Vice-Chancellor reminded the USM community to always uphold their sense of integrity, to be righteous and to maintain one’s health in facing the current challenges.

Also present at the gathering to give a speech was the Dean, School of Educational Studies (PPIP) USM, Professor Dr. Hairul Nizam Ismail who had just assumed his post in January.

According to Hairul Nizam, although he has just recently been appointed as the Dean of the School of Educational Studies, his experience as a lecturer at USM has assisted him aplenty in his administrative duties.

“It’s truly a major responsibility to be the head of an academic school with a big number of undergraduate and postgraduate students, but the opportunity provided would assist me in my career development and would surely be a valuable experience for me,” he said.

Stressed Hairul Nizam, now is the time to reflect on oneself, to look at each existing plan and achievement and to make the necessary changes to uphold the responsibility entrusted upon.

"The upcoming fasting month of Ramadhan should strengthen us further in our efforts to be more productive as in the history of Islam, many successes have been achieved in the month of Ramadhan, including victories in battles, and not to become weak and less productive," said Hairul Nizam further.

The Administrative Assistant from Pusat Transformasi Insan, Sarur Hadi in representing the support staff, reminded those who were present to uphold the trust given in the best way possible and to value each experience at work.

“Every work that we do has its own challenges and we should value the experience gained in facing the challenges and utilise it when we move into a different phase in life,” he said, in reflecting upon his 36 years of service with USM and his retirement next year.

Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin

Text: Syuhada Abd. Aziz