KULIM, 5 July 2014 - Candidates who are entering the university should be prepared to face the challenges in campus, all the more so as Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) had received as many as 23,000 applications for its full-time undergraduate programme for the 2014/2015 academic year.

“Most of them are excellent students with a CGPA of 3.75 with over 500 candidates achieved a full 4.0 CGPA,” said USM Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Dr. Omar Osman in a gathering with over 150 USM pre-university students here today.

“At this moment, more than 75% of our graduates achieved a CGPA of more than 3.0 even in their first year of studies, and the data also showed that the majority of USM graduates are now working with multinational companies and international firms. USM intends to ensure that the graduates play the role as a 'global citizen' by working outside the country," said Omar.

Pertaining to the USM Pre-university Programme, Omar pointed out that the Government wants to develop highly skilled students as a model to construct the appropriate curriculum to avoid any problems when they enter USM later, particularly in science and technology subjects such as chemistry, physics and mathematics, and be the best.

“We certainly do not want to see this special programme producing failed students who do not fit into the university,” Omar advised the students.

Omar added that when they enter the programme, the students should be aware that they are a part of USM and would become the ‘diamonds’ for the university, whereby we hope to instil in them the spirit of loving the university.

He also advised the students to build their confidence and self-esteem to succeed and excel.

“I believe that all of you will be the heroes and heroines that will make us proud,” said Omar.

Earlier, USM-MARA Pre-university coordinator, Professor Dr. Mohd Jain Noordin said that the programme is new to USM as USM collaborated with MARA and Public Service Department (JPA) to provide opportunities for outstanding SPM achievers to enter university and continue their studies until the PhD level.

“Students have to develop the spirit of grasping success until they reach PhD level,” said Mohd Jain.

According to him, the students intake has achieved up to four cohorts - first cohort in 2012 there were 29 students, second cohort 98 students, third cohort intake of 40 students in January 2014, and fourth cohort in June 2014 with a total of 104 students.

46 students sponsored by JPA and 33 students sponsored by MARA form the pioneer batch that will pursue their studies in the medical degree in Belgaum India.

According to Mohd Jain, their academic performance in USM will be monitored continuously and at present, those who are studying architecture in USM appeared to be doing very well.

This pre-university programme runs on the syllabus formulated by the lecturers in USM and the instructors of Kolej MARA Kulim.

Also present at the breaking of fast gathering were the Director of Kolej MARA Kulim, Haji Tamam Jonit; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International Affairs), Professor Dato’ Dr. Ahmad Shukri Mustapa Kamal, as well as the principal officers of USM and Kolej MARA Kulim. - Translation: Nur Atiqah Dalbadalsa Merican/Text and Photos: Mohamad Abdullah