PENANG, 1 September 2014 - In its effort to create a knowledge society, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) will continue to ensure that no people group will be left out, while strengthening its role in educating the university's students to respect and celebrate diversity on campus and in the country.

Its Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Dr. Omar Osman said, because of that, this year the University has further strengthened its efforts to offer places to various community groups to pursue higher education, among them the “special needs” group (OKU), Orang Asli, those who excel in culture and arts, and sports.

For the 2014/2015 intake, USM took in 4,083 students selected among more than 21,000 candidates who applied for USM and more than 7,000 who appealed. 2,919 students in Penang Main Campus, 519 in Engineering Campus, Nibong Tebal Penang and 645 students in the Health Campus, Kubang Kerian Kelantan enrolled simultaneously today.

This figure included the 102 students who have been admitted to pursue the USM-KLE India Medical Science International Programme and 70 students pursuing Diploma in Nursing at the Health Campus, Kelantan.

USM has identified at least 45 athletes who represented the state and the country to study at USM under the Sportsman & Sportswoman programme, 122 students from the underprivileged and low-income families (bottom 40% income group) and several students with “special needs” or OKU students for this year’s intake.

He was speaking to reporters after a special Press Conference to highlight the admission of new students in the university today.

Also present were all of USM Deputy Vice-Chancellors.

Omar added that there are 31 new students pursuing various bachelors’ degree from 15 countries namely Bangladesh, Republic of Chad, China, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Libya, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia and Thailand. - Translation: Tan Ewe Hoe/Text: Mohamad Abdullah/Photos: Mohd Fairus Md. Isa

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