PENANG, 7 February 2014 - Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) will continuously develop to find an iconic personality among its community, regardless if they are staff members or students but having the ability to set an example for others to follow as part of USM’s responsibility in implementing the Accelerated Programme for Excellence (APEX) Phase 2.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Dato’ Dr. Omar Osman said that in the implementation of Apex Phase 2, there are about 70 programmes and projects to be implemented through seven task forces in a variety of ways involving more than 200 staff members besides engaging all heads of departments to monitor and provide ideas.

“Generally, we have positive signals from the Special Committee to proceed with APEX Phase 2 programme even though there is no official final decision yet, however, the Committee has requested USM to proceed after requesting USM to emphasise on two main points,” said Omar during a meeting with the Chancellory staff and department heads present at the monthly meeting this morning.

Obviously, the two main points need USM to ensure the university to succeed basing on a culture of excellence involving different people in the university community.

Second, the APEX programme is expected to produce high hopes and expectations, and that whatever improvements and innovations need to come from USM.

The Vice-Chancellor said that this is a heavy responsibility that must be shared by everyone in USM to find talents among the staff and students to groom them to excellence. This includes those in the lowest ranks to be followed by others as the core and thrust of USM APEX in the effort to search for talents that are truly extraordinary and possess uniqueness as a role model in the embodiment of excellence.

“The task of a APEX university is to build the nation with first class mentality which I believe can be achieved if we are earnest, particularly when 2014 poses as a challenging year for us to work together,” said the Vice-Chancellor.

“The way of thinking and the working methods of the university leadership have also changed and shifted to a future rooted in the thinking, knowledge and high sense of excellence and consequently to produce the correct order of the soul together using knowledge and high sense,” the Office of Transformation Director, Dato’Haji Ellias Zakaria said earlier during the event.

Haji Ellias added that executing an overall effort like this, three things – a good award, good image and high expectations – are needed to be embraced by the entire USM community that require a sense of love and affection, adherence to the principle of being a member of a smart force and maintaining the integrity in whatever one does.

“All three of these will be able to unveil the purpose of knowledge and a character that is beautiful to look at,” said Haji Ellias.

Other speakers who shared experience are the Student Recruitment Section staff member, Roshimah Hassan, who talked about her experiences in the university over the years.

Among those who attended this gathering was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International Affairs) Professor Dato’ Dr. Ahmad Shukri Mustapa Kamal; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Development) Professor Dr. Adnan Hussein; the Registrar Siti Zubaidah A. Hamid; the Islamic Centre Director, Professor Dato’ Dr. Muhammad Idiris Salleh; and several Deans, Heads of Departments and Chancellory personnel. - Translation: Yong Check Yoon /Text: Mohamad Abdullah/Photo: Mohd Fairus Md Isa