USM PENANG, 24 January 2025 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) hosted a significant gathering yesterday, bringing together 92 Heads of Departments (HODs) for an exclusive dialogue with the Chairman of the USM Board of Governors, Dato’ Seri Dr. Awang Adek Hussin, in a session aimed at reinforcing USM’s strategic direction.

Leaders from the Transkrian and Kubang Kerian campuses participated virtually, ensuring a unified leadership engagement across USM’s multiple campuses.

The event highlighted USM’s commitment to academic excellence and institutional growth, setting the tone for a forward-thinking leadership approach.

Attendees reviewed the tastefully curated materials that highlighted USM’s successes and strategic positioning while acknowledging the collaborative efforts behind the events, with publications shared globally and locally.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato' Seri Ir. Dr. Abdul Rahman Mohamed, highlighted the rigorous selection process for new leadership roles, revealing that 50% of Deans and 30% of Centre of Excellence Directors are fresh appointments, including younger academics.

In his address, Awang Adek urged USM to aim higher, warning against complacency despite its stable financial standing and past successes in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) rankings.

Reflecting on his tenure as a lecturer at USM (1983–1990), he shared his deep-rooted connection to the university and emphasised the imperative of maintaining USM’s reputation as a leading institution.

He outlined five core expectations for HODs: Proactive Leadership, Motivational Mentorship, Governance and Integrity, Strategic Collaboration, and Financial Sustainability to ensure USM’s long-term success.

The Chairman called for leaders to generate additional income through industry partnerships, innovative revenue streams, and research commercialisation, reinforcing financial sustainability as a top priority.

He also stressed the importance of reputation management, urging HODs to cultivate strong relationships with stakeholders while practicing humility in leadership.

During an engaging Q&A session, attendees raised concerns on financial distribution, leadership communication, and department engagement, proposing personal visits and an annual event to strengthen internal networks.

As the session concluded, the Chairman left attendees with a compelling call to action: “We should strive to be humans that are successful in the eyes of the community.”

The session ended with leaders aligned on USM’s vision, inspired to drive excellence and innovation in the university’s next chapter.

Text: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Shaik Abdul Malik Mohamed Ismail, Editorial Consultant, MPRC@USM/Photos: Muhamad Faris Darwisy Muhamad Rafiq