PENANG, 18 January 2013 - Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) was selected as a recipient of the Malaysia-Indonesia-Thailand Internationalisation iAward (M.I.T.) by Thailand-based SEAMEO, Regional Centre for Higher Education and Development (RIHED).

The selection of USM as a recipient of the award was announced in a statement by SEAMEO RIHED to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dato’ Omar Osman, here recently.

USM was selected through the International Office on the basis of excellence and good practice shown, particularly in the management of international student affairs, continual improvements and facility improvements through the encouragement of student mobility at the regional level.

In his statement, the Director of SEAMEO RIHED, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sauwakon Ratanawijitrasin, said M.I.T. iAward was introduced not only to improve the sustainability of student mobility programme but also an opportunity for the expansion of the network of international offices in the region. 

He said that the international office is deemed to be the prime mover in improving the reputation of higher education institutions (HEIs) in enhancing and expanding education opportunities across global boundaries. 

“Every institution of higher education have the opportunity to improve its skills and level of competency through programmes available while also improving students' ability to adapt their life’s mobility experience in the future,” he said.

The award ceremony will be held in conjunction with the 47th SEAMEO Council Conference to be held in Hanoi, Vietnam, this March. Text: Marziana Mohamed Alias