USM PENANG, 12 February 2026 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has introduced a new policy mandating all staff to accumulate a minimum of 40 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points, equivalent to 40 hours of training per year, effective 2026.

Under this policy, all staff categories including Senior Management (Special/Top Grades), Administrative and Professional Groups, as well as Support Staff, are required to participate in continuous training, talent development, and competency enhancement programmes to meet the annual CPD requirement.

The initiative aligns with USM’s commitment to strengthening talent development and workforce competency, while fostering a culture of excellence in governance across all levels.

It also corresponds with the Human Resource Service Circular: Public Service Talent Development Policy Version 1.0 (2024), which came into effect on 1 September 2025.

USM Registrar, Mohd Azizudin Mohd Shariff, emphasised that the policy will enhance staff efficiency, professionalism, and readiness in meeting the increasingly dynamic demands of the workplace.

“This new CPD policy is not merely about compliance with the circular, but a structured platform to ensure every staff member continues to expand their knowledge, skills, and competencies in line with current public service needs and the university’s aspirations for excellence,” he said.

He added that active participation in training and development programmes will better prepare staff to be competitive and deliver higher-quality services to the university and its stakeholders.

The announcement was made during the Townhall Session: New CPD Policy (2026) organised by USM’s Human Transformation Centre. The session also featured a briefing by the Centre’s Director, Nurul Izzati Rozali.

The townhall was conducted across all USM campuses, including the Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Engineering Campus, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Cancer Centre (PKTAAB), and the Health Campus in Kubang Kerian.

Original Text: Marziana Mohamed Alias/Translation: Tan Ewe Hoe