PENANG, March 2014 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Dr. Omar Osman, recently received a courtesy call from Provost and Dean of Gustavus Adolphus College (GAC), Minnesota, USA, Dr. Mark J. Braun at his office.

In the 45-minute meeting, the Vice-Chancellor and GAC Provost also discussed among other bilateral cooperation opportunities that could be exploited jointly by the two institutions in terms of exchange of students and lecturers following the success of a special academic programme “A Semester in Malaysia” conducted in USM for the first time from 12 February to 30 May 2014 as a result of the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed between USM and GAC in February 2013.

The Vice-Chancellor said that he is glad that the programme, involving 12 students from various GAC’s courses who are here for one semester following modular studies at USM, has been running smoothly and has been received with an overwhelming response.

“I hope that this programme can be ‘exported’ to the United States, and GAC can act as an ambassador of USM to implement the programme at their college as a summer programme and later introduce it to other colleges and institutions in the province of Minnesota.

“In the context of international students exchange, I also hope that the Division of Academic and International Affairs will work with the School of Communication and School of Languages, Literacies and Translation to identify suitable students to follow similar programme in GAC as a way of exposing our students to other cultures thereby enriching their experiences, skills and enhancing their self-esteem,” added Omar.

Similar opinions and expectations were also voiced by Provost Mark who was very impressed with the Vice-Chancellor’s proposal to introduce the one semester programme in Gustavus Adolphus College.

“I’m sure if this programme is to be held at the GAC, USM students who are enrolled in this programme will gain invaluable experience studying in another country besides having the opportunity to interact with students from GAC while learning about the culture there,” said Mark.

Mark who was in Malaysia from 11 March to 16 March 2014 visited GAC students during their class hours at the university and followed them in their field trip to Kuala Kangsar.

Also present were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International Affairs) Professor Dato’ Dr. Ahmad Shukri Mustapa Kamal; the School of Communication Dean, Associate Professor Dr. Jamilah Ahmad; and the GAC Programme Coordinator, Professor Steven H. Mellema who is also a Visiting Professor in the School of Physics. - Translation: Yong Check Yoon/Text: Tan Ewe Hoe/Photo: Mohd Fairus Md. Isa