PENANG, 3 January 2013 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) will face some critical challenges ahead in 2013 as it focuses more on realising the expectations of successfully transforming the nation’s higher education.

USM Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Omar Osman said, in regards to these challenges, a number of other aspects need to be emphasised in order to ensure the smooth and effective governance of the university with limited financial allocation.

Omar said the university should streamline the management aspects, particularly in applying certain techniques inthe administrative pattern involving strategic and tactical management, and so on.

``Even though the limited budget allocated is not as alarming as we feared, the university needs to be more focusand begin to practice prudent spending.

``We need to adopt an outcome-based core expenses in all aspects to enable the University to remain competitive and be able to achieve its desired objectives,'' he said.

Omar said this in a special briefing to the Deans, Deputy Deans and Directors of the responsibility centres (RC)here today. Also present were the Deputy Vice-Chancellors, Prof. Ahmad Shukri Mustapa Kamal, Prof. Dato’ SeeChing Mey and Prof. Adnan Hussein.

Omar added that several things have also been identified for further review, including streamlining the direction and objectives of the research centres, improving the governance process and system, re-evaluating and strengthening the academic process and so forth.

``We have been mandated by the University Board of Governors (LGU) in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of management, employ the best method to achieve efficient planning and carry out transformation within the organisation,'' he said.

He also said in 2013, the university will work towards enhancing the networking ties between the university and the industry which is deemed to be one of the major stakeholders of the university.

``The voices of the industry must be heard and given due attention. We need to understand each other better in order to get more input to improve USM achievement level,'' he said. Text: Marziana Mohamed Alias / Photo: Mohd.Fairus Md.Isa / Translation: Tan Ewe Hoe