USM, PENANG, 14 November 2016 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Vice-Chancellor Professor Datuk Dr. Asma Ismail today met some 20 young researchers and academicians from the four USM Campuses who have been identified as having the potential to propel the University to the next level at Anjung Jannatun here.

During the one and a half hour meeting, Asma reminded the young researchers to be bold, creative and innovative in addressing the issues and challenges to higher education that the university is facing and will face especially in view of the recently announced government’s decision to reduce public universities funding in 2017.

“Do not be too dependable on government grants and funding. You should in fact be more creative and innovative in looking at ways on how to generate income from our core businesses of teaching and research to achieve financial sustainability.

“We should see how we can commercialise some of our academic programmes, enhance our international undergraduate intake, to be hungry enough to work closely with the industry, push some identified niche areas of research to the next level, etc.,” Asma further reminded the young researchers.

She also urged them to form or to be part of some research clusters so that they can be mentored, nurtured further and be ready to replace some icons (senior researchers) and lead the next generation of younger researchers to greater heights.

“I hope all of you will be together with me in turning USM into a purpose-driven university which is respected, referred and relevant (3Rs), and in order to be that, we need to harness and leverage our strengths in Arts, Science and Technology, providing High-Tech yet Hi-Touch solutions to society, industry and the government (quadruple helix).

“Integration of science and the arts must be portrayed and reflected as the DNA of USM. That is the unique brand that we have and now it will be to move STEAM with the tagline ‘synergising Arts, Science and Technology into Action’,” she added.

Text: Tan Ewe Hoe / Photo: Ebrahim Abdul Manan