PENANG, 23 July 2014 - Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)’s SAINS@USM Complex is expected to be a model for smart collaboration between public and private sectors in the development of research, services and technical expertise.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato' Dr Omar Osman, said that the complex will feature dedicated incubators with buildings for research laboratories, studio facilities or commercial office space that will become a niche factor for USM to expand its capabilities.

He said that if the complex is successfully realised then it will be another milestone to show the actual model of smart collaboration between USM as an agency under the public sector with a comprehensive network of private agencies.

“It would be a good model with the involvement of both sectors in helping to contribute to national development in the fields of science, research or services that improves the economy,” he said.

He was speaking to about 100 SAINS@USM personnel at an Iftar reception held here yesterday. Also present was the Chief Executive Officer of Collaborative Research in Engineering, Science and Technology (CREST), Jaffri Ibrahim, together with academics, researchers and the staff of SAINS@USM.

Omar also commented on current issues that shook the country and the world in recent weeks, including the crash of MH17, the war in Gaza, and viral information sharing on social networking sites that is a trend nowadays.

He said that as people become more knowledgeable, people needs to take a lesson from each incident and pray for the best for the benefit of mankind as well as providing aid to ease the burden of those afflicted.

“In the context of the dissemination of information on social sites, we need to be careful and only spread verified information.

“We are responsible for the things that we disseminate, having the fear that if the information is incorrect then we will be spreading lies. Spreading slander is a serious sin,” he said, reminding the USM community to continue to enlighten the month of Ramadan which is now coming to its conclusion. - Translation: Yong Check Yoon/Text: Marziana Mohamed Alias