PENANG, 1 June 2015 – The direction and best practices for Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) to remain competitive and relevant in the years ahead were discussed intensively, though in an easy-going manner with members of the University Board of Governors (LGU) here today.

The Vice-Chancellor of USM, Professor Dato’ Dr. Omar Osman said, in view of the current scenario of the university, plans for the future need to be more focused for USM to remain competitive and be the pioneer in the domain of higher learning.

He said, among those to be given focus include the enhancement of the academic areas, commercialisation, research and business cooperation; areas which are deemed to be able to strengthen the capacity and role of the university as it should have always been.

“This is not a ‘rocket science’ presentation, which is done within a short period of time, as the university has scrutinised the focus of its direction via a series of exclusive discussions and designated a more specified focus.”

“We too are mindful of the need to seize the opportunity in attracting and developing the available talents, exploring the various means of income generation and optimising the use of the available resources,’’ he said.

He expressed this during his presentation on the idea ‘How Can USM Remain Competitive and Relevant in the Future’ (‘Bagaimana USM Kekal Kompetitif dan Relevan pada Masa Hadapan’) at the Dewan Persidangan Universiti.

Others who attended include the Chairman of the University Board of Governors (LGU), Tan Sri Datuk Dr. Zulkefli A. Hassan, members of LGU, USM Deputy Vice-Chancellors, USM Leading Thinkers and key university officials.

Besides Omar, others who presented the ideas were member of LGU, Professor Datuk Dr. Omar Shawkataly with his presentation entitled 'The Fall of Faculty' and the Director of Hospital USM, Dato’ Dr. Zaidun Kamari (Current Prospects and the Future of Hospital USM).

The laidback discussion session also displayed an active participation of those involved in pitching ideas on the university in the future, which was chaired by a member of LGU as well as being the facilitator, Tan Sri Dr. Tengku Mahaleel Tengku Arif. - Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin/Text: Marziana Mohamed Alias/Photos: Mohd Fairus Md. Isa