KUALA LUMPUR, 27 January 2017 - Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) qualifies for the finals in the Institutional Award for Public University category at the MOHE Entrepreneurial Awards (MEA) 2016, held in Kuala Lumpur recently.

USM, led by its Vice-Chancellor, Professor Datuk Dr. Asma Ismail, received the finalist award alongside three other public universities which are Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) from the Minister of Higher Education, Dato' Seri Idris Jusoh.

The aim of this award is to give recognition on excellence in promoting entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial development in the Malaysian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in order to develop entrepreneurial mindsets and behaviours in all students, as well as in supporting those seeking to become entrepreneurs.

This award also aims to recognise those institutions which can demonstrate an entrepreneurial culture across all aspects of institutional life, and the award also serves as a barometer in gauging the success of the entrepreneurship strategies, policies and efforts implemented by the respective applicant institutions.

The award was given to the Public University, Private University, Polytechnic and Community College that best demonstrated its achievements and progress across all off the award-judging criteria during the period from 1 July 2015 - 30 November 2016.

Those from the USM team who were present include the USM Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Development Affairs and Alumni), Professor Dato' Dr. Adnan Hussein; Bursar Dr. Rohayati Mohd Isa and USM Entrepreneurial Director, Professor Dr. Mahmod Sabri Haron.

Winner of the award for public university from the four institutions was UPM, for the private university category was Management and Science University (MSU), the polytechnic category went to Politeknik Kota Bharu while Kolej Komuniti Kuala Langat won the community college category.

Text: Hafiz Meah Ghouse Meah / Photo: Mohd Fairus Md. Isa