PENANG, 20 August 2014 - Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Dr. Omar Osman requested that efforts should continue to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of integrated education.

“Our success today starts from what was essentially put into place by those who believe that changes can be made to improve any existing processes,” said Omar, in his speech at the end of the USM Annual Teaching and Learning Seminar 2014 with the theme "The Global Classroom" at USM Dewan Budaya this afternoon.

A notable example, the Vice-Chancellor said, is the achievements of USM School of Engineering which is ranked 101-150 in the world through the recent rigorous “Shanghai Ranking” conducted by the Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Academic Ranking of World Universities - http://www.shanghairanking.com/ FieldENG2014.html)

He added that what is needed is the effort made to integrate any existing methods so as to increase the effectiveness of this process done to enhance the importance of quality and sustainability, and how to make it as a culture in shaping the future of education.

He added that it is equally important how we can improve the overall accessibility of knowledge to the community, in meeting the demands and needs as a result of the process of education, especially in universities.

He praised the efforts made by the Centre for Academic Excellence & Student Advisory and Development (CDAE) in providing a new platform for the delivery of knowledge through open learning.

The one-day seminar, attended by about 500 participants from among lecturers and teachers, was organised by CDAE together with the Knowledge, Communication and Technology Centre (PPKT) and the Higher Education Leadership Academy (AKEPT).

The Vice-Chancellor also presented awards to the winners of “the Most Active Course with Innovative Content” in recognition of those actively involved in preparing materials for the development of eLearn @ USM content.

The winners were Dr. Mohd. Salman Abu Mansor from the School of Mechanical Engineering; Associate Professor Dr Lim Hwee San from the School of Physics; Dr Yusri Yusop from the School of Industrial Technology, Gan Pek Har from the School of Languages, Literacies and Translation; Dr Zainurul Aniza from the School of Arts; Dr Nurulezah Abdullah from the School of Dental Sciences; and Associate Professor Irfan Naufal Umar from the Centre for Instructional Technology and Multimedia.

Professor Dato’ Dr. Omar Osman also presented the awards for “Best Instructional Design” which provided material content in electronic form to Dr. Mohd Asnizam Asari from the School of Medical Sciences and Dr. Wan Maryam Wan Ahmad Kamil from the School of Physics.

All winners received a certificate of appreciation, a plaque and an iPad Air.

Also at in the same event were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International Affairs) Professor Dato’ Dr. Ahmad Shukri Mustapa Kamal; CDAE Director, Professor Dr. Abdul Karim Alias ​​and three experts who were invited to the seminar and they were Larry Cooperman of the University of California, Dr. Wayne Mackintosh who is the founder Director of the OER Foundation, and Professor Dr. Mushtak ASI-Atabi, Dean of the School of Engineering, Taylor's University of Malaysia.

- Translation: Yong Check Yoon/Text: Mohamad Abdullah/Photos: Mohd Fairus Md. Isa