PENANG, 16 June 2014 - The Ministry of Education (MOE) is committed to help Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) campus succeed in establishing campus ecotourism projects including with the help of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture (MTC).

MOE Secretary General II, Dato’ Seri Ir. Dr. Zaini Ujang, said this at the launching of the University Community Transformation Centre (UCTC) at USM Nadi Centre here today.

“We know that the tourists who come to Penang do not only wish to see the island’s tourism products but also things related to education that can be packaged as an attraction to them either outside or in the state of Penang,” said Zaini.

Moreover, the results of studies conducted by USM especially products that can benefit the community, should also be marketed more widely.

He also gave an assurance and a commitment that relevant parties such as MTC and Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) will also be involved to realise this effort.

Zaini said that this effort could also be part UCTC’s project, which is one of the National Blue Ocean Strategy (NBOS) projects.

“Every month the leaders of the country would meet Professor W. Chan Kim, author of BOS and report on developments in the country.

“I think programmes conducted by the USM Division of Industry and Community Network (BJIM) and their success should be reported, particularly its contributions to the community which have not been made and achieved by others,” Zaini added.

He explained that the NBOS projects have to be less expensive compared to traditional methods (low cost) and fast (rapid execution) yet can yield significant benefits to the people (high impact) and are sustainable.

He also informed that the Ministry is targeting the involvement of about 200,000 people from the university community in conducting community activities throughout the country, and to date it has recorded an overall success of 15%. This is because many community projects are carried out during semester breaks such as this.

Earlier, USM Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Dr. Omar Osman said that USM will focus on innovations that can meet the needs of the local communities (community-based research) in order for the university to remain relevant.

“The ministry should recognise the involvement of lecturers with the community and their transferring of knowledge as an involvement in research and innovation, especially with our focus on the marginalised groups in society,” said Omar.

He also gave an assurance and a commitment that he will continue to support the development of UCTC and will ask his Ministry to assess and continue monitoring its progress, and to get the support of industry partners.

Also present at the ceremony were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (BJIM) Professor Dato’ Dr. See Ching Mey and USM department heads. At the same ceremony, Dato’ Seri Zaini Ujang also signed a plaque marking the launching of USM UCTC and presented the appointment letters to USM UCTC Chief Coordinator, Syed Yusof Syed Kechik and USM UCTC Campus coordinators, Azril Ali and Professor Dr. Dinsuhaimi Sidek. - Translation: Siti Faizah Abd Halim/Text: Mohamad Abdullah/Photo: Mohd Fairus Md Isa​