PENANG, 10 February 2014 - Advance Guidance Education System (AGES) is an academic excellence and leadership programme that was introduced by Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) as a method to optimise the students’ learning capacity.

AGES is one of the many successful programmes monitored by the Basic Education Research Unit (BERU), School of Educational Studies, USM.

USM Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato' Dr. Omar Osman, said that the programme is highly relevant to the development of education today since the programme is able to increase student motivations and desires to aim for the highest level of achievement.

He said it also has the potential to educate the students in applying the skills learned as a preparation for a better future as well as to help them to do revision systematically.

“AGES also provides future teachers an early exposure on the pedagogical application of the programme and gives them an opportunity to make an invaluable contribution before they graduate,'' he said.

Omar said this during a press conference after the launching of AGES by Khazanah Nasional Berhad Vice-Chairman, Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Nor Mohamed Yakcop.

Also present was the president of Penang Malay Association (PEMENANG), Dato' Seri Mohd Yussof Latiff.

Omar also said that AGES is found to be effective as it has been specially designed and structured to cover areas such as academic guidance, leadership and self-development of the child.

He added that the contents of the programme are challenging as a variety of activities were developed through research innovation projects that were carried out by USM.

Commenting about the involvement of PEMENANG in AGES, he said, “This programme is one of the initiatives conducted by USM under the social service programme and PEMENANG is giving full support in terms of social, financial, and programme improvement.

“The programme is always assisted by professionals with their expertise to ensure that the programme runs smoothly and effectively for students who will later sit for an exam.”

He added that the involvement is also part of the efforts by PEMENANG to increase the number of professionals among Malays with the goal of ‘one family, one professional’ in Penang. - Translation: Siti Faizah Abd Halim/Text: Marziana Mohamed Alias/Photo: Mohd. Fairus Md. Isa