USM PENANG, 6 July 2026 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), through USAINS Holding Sdn. Bhd., has marked another meaningful milestone in staff development with the successful completion of its first TOEIC Training Programme involving 15 dedicated USM staff members.

The graduation and certificate presentation ceremony was held at the CBT@USM Room this morning, in recognition of the participants’ commitment, perseverance, and outstanding achievement throughout the programme.

Conducted over nine weeks with a total of 42 training hours, the programme reflected the strong commitment of USM staff to continuous learning and professional growth.

Despite their daily work responsibilities, participants attended classes after office hours from 5.00 pm to 7.00 pm, demonstrating discipline, perseverance, and a genuine desire to improve their English communication skills.

Their commitment was also commended by the instructors, who described the group as attentive, diligent, and highly engaged throughout the training sessions.

The participants’ positive attitude, active participation, and willingness to learn contributed significantly to the overall success of the programme.

The cohort achieved outstanding performance in the TOEIC assessment, with 14 out of 15 participants, representing 93.3 per cent of the group, scoring 700 and above, meeting or exceeding the Malaysian benchmark.

The highest score recorded was 965 out of 990, while four participants achieved scores above 900, placing them within the highest proficiency band of the TOEIC framework.

The USM Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Seri Ir. Dr. Abdul Rahman Mohamed said the achievement reflects the University’s commitment to empowering all levels of staff with globally relevant communication skills.

“This success shows that excellence in a university is not limited to academics and researchers alone. Our support staff are equally important in reinforcing the University’s service culture, international engagement, and institutional reputation. By improving workplace English communication, they are directly contributing to USM’s wider aspirations in academics, research, sustainability, and global visibility,” the Vice-Chancellor said.

He added that the participants’ willingness to attend training after working hours demonstrated admirable dedication.

“Their commitment is a strong example of lifelong learning in action. They have shown that with discipline, support, and the right platform, every member of the university community can grow, excel, and contribute meaningfully to USM’s future,” he added.

The participants also expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to join the programme, describing the sessions as practical, engaging and highly beneficial to their daily work.

“The classes were very useful and enjoyable because the learning was closely related to real workplace communication. The instructors made the sessions engaging, and we were able to improve our confidence, especially in listening, reading, and understanding English in professional settings. We hope more USM staff members will be given the opportunity to join this programme because it is truly beneficial for personal and professional development,” the participants said.

TOEFL/TOEIC Head at USAINS, Associate Professor Dr. Shaik Abdul Malik Mohamed Ismail, said the achievement reflected the strong cooperation between the participants, instructors, and the USAINS TOEFL/TOEIC team in ensuring the programme was delivered with quality and impact.

“We are very pleased with the commitment shown by the participants and the excellent support provided by the instructors throughout the programme. Their dedication, both in teaching and learning, has contributed to this impressive outcome. I also wish to record my appreciation to the USAINS TOEFL/TOEIC team for managing the programme with professionalism, attention to detail, and high-quality coordination from beginning to end,” he said.

He added that USAINS hopes to continue expanding internationally recognised English language training and assessment opportunities for the USM community.

“USAINS has had successful experience in coordinating TOEIC assessments for industry and professional groups, including participants from Boston Scientific, Sapura Mariners, and airline crew members. We hope to build on this experience by training more USM staff members and selected students in the future, in support of the University’s internationalisation agenda and global communication readiness,” he said.

The TOEIC, or Test of English for International Communication, is one of the world’s most widely recognised English language proficiency assessments for workplace communication.

It is used across industries and professional sectors as a benchmark for employment readiness, career advancement, and international mobility.

For USM, the programme represents more than language training. It supports the University’s broader effort to equip staff with communication skills that are increasingly important as USM continues to position itself as a leading research university with strong global engagement.

Effective communication is essential as staff interact with international students, researchers, partners, stakeholders, and institutions.

As the wholly owned company of USM, USAINS has played an active role in providing internationally recognised English language assessment and training platforms.

USAINS has also held the TOEFL licence on behalf of USM since 2022, making USM the first public university in Malaysia authorised to conduct the TOEFL test under the Educational Testing Service, USA. This is supported by a fully standardised and calibrated testing room aligned with international testing standards.

The success of this first TOEIC cohort sends a strong message that language proficiency is not merely an individual achievement, but an institutional strength.

As USM advances its academic, research, and sustainability agenda, the readiness of its staff to communicate confidently and professionally will remain an important part of the University’s progress.

The programme also affirms that when staff are given the right opportunity, guidance, and encouragement, they can rise beyond expectation.

Their achievement is a proud reflection of USM’s people-centred approach to excellence and USAINS’ continuing role in supporting internationally recognised training, assessment, and professional development initiatives aligned with the University’s global aspirations.

Source: Press Release (USAINS Holding Sdn. Bhd.)