PENANG, 14 February 2014 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) today launched its One Semester in Malaysia programme, a unique academic programme designed specifically for overseas students to undergo one semester of studies in USM.

This academic programme, the first of its kind, welcomes its first batch of students from Gustavus Adolphus College (GAC), Minnesota, United States.

A total of 12 GAC students from various courses will follow this programme in USM’s main campus that begins with a two day on-site orientation which includes getting familiarise with the campus surroundings, a campus tour, interaction with USM students, etc.

According to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International Affairs), Professor Dato’ Dr. Ahmad Shukri Mustapa Kamal, this is the first time such a programme has been carried out by the two universities even though the relationship between USM and GAC has existed in the past.

“This programme is very different from the student exchange programmes because all the twelve students will attend the same classes and study the same modules even though they are from different background and field of studies,” added Ahmad Shukri who was present to officially launch the programme here today.

The students will undergo four modules for four months where the course syllabus is designed exclusively for GAC students by academic members from USM and GAC. The modules covered are Tropical Ecology, Malay Language and Culture, Religious Experiences in Malaysia and Living Diversity.

Courses will be taught by the academic staff from the School of Biological Sciences, School of Humanities, School of Social Sciences (SoSS) and School of Languages, Literacies and Translation (SoLLaT) with the help of on-site instructors in formal and informal classroom settings.

Besides classroom learning, students will have the opportunities to participate in field trips that include travel to other parts of Peninsular Malaysia such as the Orang Utan Sanctuary in Bukit Merah, Perak; Lenggong Valley in Kedah; Pulau Redang in Terengganu and Melaka.

“Because of the multi-disciplinary nature of the programme, it meets the GAC requirements required for graduation, in which the students will get to experience studying abroad particularly in Malaysia and be exposed to the diversity of the local culture,” said the Director of GAC Centre for International and Cultural Education, Professor Dr. Steven H. Mellema, who is also a Visiting Professor at USM School of Physics.

Also present were the Dean of SoLLaT, Associate Professor Dr. Tengku Sepora Tengku Mahadi; Dean of SoSS, Associate Professor Dr. Nor Malina Malek; Deputy Registrar Division of Academic and International Affairs, Ajindar Kaur and also the module coordinators. - Translation: Tan Ewe Hoe/Text: Nor Rafizah Md Zain/Photo: Mohd Fairus Md Isa