KUBANG KERIAN, KELANTAN, 26 January 2014 - Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Professor Dato' Dr. Omar Osman urged the USM community to adopt quality as part of our culture to benefit ourselves and the university for the realisation of 1USM and We Love USM.

It is not just a documentation process but should be followed through by an individual’s action and conscience.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of USM Health Campus Quality Convention 2013 and the Kampus Bersih Sejahtera Programme which was held concurrently with the VC’s Message 2014 made to the campus community here recently, he stressed that the development of quality movement will help to empower what we are doing now.

"Just take a look on how the values of quality are expanding to all the USM campuses as it blends well with the community who needs to be nurtured continuously, in order to strengthen this, we need to improve ourselves," he said.

Omar also complimented the efforts of the Health Campus in overcoming problems raised through the media reports of the presence and danger of rats in USM Hospital last year by organising the Kampus Bersih Sejahtera Programme.

"We accept criticism and believe that this programme will contribute to the efforts to overcome the existing problems based on good hygiene and well-being with a broader meaning that covers emotional well being, intellectual, social, physical and spiritual environment, prioritising the voluntary involvement of all parties similar to those carried out through the Kampus Sejahtera programmes at the main campus which was largely conducted by the students," said the Vice-Chancellor.

The Quality Convention this year have seen the number of categories increased. Among them were Office, Websites, Food Premises, Wards, Laboratories and some others competing for the Quality Environment QE/5S Competition category that comprises the Best Store (General/Special) and Best Location awards.

The Vice-Chancellor also expressed his appreciation of the Innovative and Creative Group and the USM Environmental Quality Practices QE/5S group of the Health Campus that had brought local and international fame to the university.

The Personality of Quality Award 2013 won by Senior Librarian Pn. Rogayah Ali for her achievement in leading and developing the Quality Movement in Health Campus of USM was also mentioned.

USM Health Campus was awarded the MS ISO recertification by SIRIM QAS International, Intertek Moody International and Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) and the accreditation given by STANDARD Malaysia and the Launching of USM Towards Lean Management.

Also present were USM Health Campus Director, Professor Dato' Dr. Mafauzy Mohamed; Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) Director General, Dato' Mohd Razali Hussain; STANDARD Malaysia Director General, Puan Fadilah Baharin; SIRIM QAS International Managing Director, Pn. Khalidah Mustafa; Intertek Moody International General Manager, Dr. Ooi Cheng Lee; and principal officers of USM.

During his speech, the School of Dental Sciences Dean, Assoc. Professor Dr. Adam Hussein, who was the Organising Committee Chairman said that this annual event is to maintain the spirit of quality among staff to serve better and to encourage them to continue to contribute ideas that will benefit the campus as a whole.

The exhibition of Quality and Innovation Excellence of Centre of Responsibility (RC) was also open to the public on that day.

Meanwhile, Kampus Bersih Sejahtera Programme which was headed by the School of Medical Sciences Deputy Dean (Student Affairs & Networking), Professor Dr. Dinsuhaimi Sidek also created a major interest.

The programme involved everyone, from children, students, graduates, academic and the administrative staff of USM.

According to Dinsuhaimi, the implementation of this programme does not only involve the campus but also the local people who lives near to the USM campus through the Community Engagement Programme.

When asked on the effects of the rat issues reported by the media, the Vice-Chancellor said that the university is thankful for the reports made as they challenged the university to step up efforts in overcoming the existing problems in a holistic manner together with all stakeholders.

"The launching of Kampus Bersih Sejahtera marks the measurement of a collective effort that involved the community as a whole as the location of our Health Campus is closer to business activities around as compared with other campuses," said the Vice-Chancellor.

Although the result is proven, USM still needs time to continue to monitor and measure the level of success of the programme.

The Vice-Chancellor also said that the books written by USM staff can be used, not only in higher education institution but also for general reading because their content focuses on aspects of health and medicine of the community.

"The contents are easy to understand and they have much benefits to reap, these books are perfect for everyone as a reference or self healthcare guide," he said. - Translation: Siti Faizah Abd Halim/Text & Photo: Mohd Rodin Che Yusoff