PENANG, 29 April 2014 - Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Professor Dato’ Dr. Omar Osman today presented the Anugerah Perkhidmatan Cemerlang (APC or Outstanding Service Awards) for 2013 to 348 recipients from USM Main Campus.

“All of the recipients are icons in their respective departments and I trust that every staff at every level will continue to carry out their responsibilities diligently to ensure the continued excellence and relevance of USM,” said the Vice-Chancellor.

“Make USM your second home and continue to strive to ensure USM achieve its APEX University and Research University’s objectives and its motto, We Lead,” Omar added.

Beginning from 2012, USM nominate recipients who qualify and meet the criteria for selection as recipients of Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) to the Malaysian Public Service Department. These are staff members who are excellent and exceptional in their duties besides being active in participating and contributing to activities outside official duties including activities of volunteerism, community work, sports, culture and others that can bring honour to the organisation and the country.

“USM sent four nominations and only Zulkifli Che Husin was selected from the 13 recipients of DSM from the Ministry of Education. Congratulations,” said the Vice-Chancellor.

“This medal is a form of motivation to me after going through various ups and downs since involving myself in volunteerism and cultural programmes. Every public servant can seize the opportunities available,” added Zulkifli who received a medal and certificate.

The total number of APC recipients for 2013 was 798 people; the remaining comprised 380 recipients from the Health Campus, and 70 from the Engineering Campus who will receive their award at the respective campuses.

Of the total, 396 (49.6 percent) recipients were from Support Services Group I and 155 (19.4 percent) from Support Group II, 125 (15.7 percent) from the Academic group and 103 (12.9 percent) from the Management and Professional group while a total of 18 (2.3 percent) recipients from the Special Grade group and one (0.1 percent) from the Premier Grade group.

The performance of the university staff is good and many candidates qualified and showed excellent performance. It was found that 71.29 per cent of staff scored an average of more than 85 percent last year and only 0.40 per cent of staff had an average score of 50-59 percent.

Also present were Deputy Vice-Chancellors, Campus Directors, Registrar, Acting Bursar and Heads of Department. - Translation: Yong Check Yoon/Text: Nor Rafizah Md. Zain/Photo: Mohd Fairus Md. Isa