PENANG, November 2013 - Keep the bond strong as united we stand, apart we fall and with this we can ensure the continuous contribution toward the development of the university and the country.

The Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Professor Dato’ Dr. Omar Osman advised the new Student Representative Council (MPP) leadership during the Appointed MPPUSM Pledge and Letter of Appointment Presentation Ceremony. Also present were Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Development) Professor Dr. Adnan Hussein, Engineering Campus Director Professor Dr. Zainal Arifin Mohd Ishak, Deans and the Senior Officers of the University.

“We have been a leader for a long time but be aware that this is an option that has not been forced upon and so do not force others to be leaders,” said Omar.

He explained that leaders are not just born through a selection process, but many others are born leaders and one must be prepared to be leaders who are not elected either as head of the family, the organisation and they have a longer time span (of leadership) than those who were elected leaders.

According to Omar, being a leader means hold a responsibility to build capacity, to investigate what is required of as a leader because those would manifest if unity is strong, empowering us to develop the university and country together.

The Vice-Chancellor urged new leaders to work together in building success and bring the University through to Apex Phase II. Last year 70% of graduates graduated with a CGPA of 3.0 or more, proving our academic excellence, and we would like to enhance our effort in showcasing the concept of APEX Scholar.

“We want to increase the number of our graduates working at multinational and global levels from about 20% as what we have now to a higher number in providing world-class graduates,” said Omar.

Moreover, USM will further empower the consultation of Student Representative Council (MPPUSM) as well.

We would like to develop highly skilled graduates who will be able to face future challenge but we have to plan things that we can be proud of since at the end of the day we have to be accountable for what have done and if they are products of our best effort.

Student leaders should go all-out in everything and bring excellence to the university through academic and leadership achievements that people respect, not forgetting about academic and personal excellence at the same time.

The Vice-Chancellor also announced and launched the Philippine Humanitarian Fund with an initial donation of RM10,000. USM is well equipped to send volunteers there when the situation has stabilised and suitable for them to be there.

Meanwhile, at the same event, newly appointed president for MPPUSM, Mohammad Shafiq bin Kamaruddin, 22, explained that MPPUSM will be focusing on their six main agenda basing on global mindset.

Mohammad Shafiq is a third year student at the School of Education, doing a major in History and a minor in Geography, has the ambition to become a successful frozen food entrepreneur and hotelier in the future.

Mohammad Shafiq also said that MPPUSM will focus on internationalization efforts that include improving students’ proficiency in English and a third language, forging a better relationship with the international students, enhancing branding and international products, provide more entrepreneurial activities and volunteerism at the international level, without sidelining the students’ welfare.

“We are welcoming and even hoping that more opportunity will be given to us as we want to get involved in the decision-making process of University policies, particularly those related to students,” he added. - Translation: Siti Faizah Abd Halim/Text: Mohamad Abdullah/Photo: Mohd Azrul Mohd Azhar