Padang (INDONESIA), 12 November 2013 – The role of universities now need to move beyond the conventional task of teaching and doing research and should steer away from the ivory tower concept that they are often associated with over the years.

“We should be able to obtain ideas and knowledge from different aspects to produce a society that engages in many aspects, not only locally but also regionally, learning the related processes, identifying existing challenges and formulate strategies to take advantage of knowledge, bringing it to the attention of the community and work closely with the people who will ultimately enable the sharing of best practices in forging team work at all levels of society.”

Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Professor Dato’ Dr. Omar Osman stressed during the closing of the University Community Engagement Conference (UCEC) 2013 at the Grand Inna Muara Hotel, Padang, Indonesia.

The two-day conference from 11 to 12 November 2013 was jointly organised by USM through the Division of Industry and Community Network (BJIM) with Universitas Andalas Padang, Indonesia, with the theme “Towards the Transformation of the Higher Education on University Community Engagement”.

More than 200 participants from Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, Thailand, Australia, Germany, the United Kingdom and Brunei attended the conference, comprising scientists, researchers, community leaders, government officials and voluntary organisations which presented 50 papers and 4 posters.

“The conference is expected to be able to foster closer cooperation pursued in strengthening USM efforts to join all parties in the Asia-Pacific region to promote such efforts in helping the community through a variety of efforts, leveraging on the existing expertise of all universities involved in improving the lives of people," Omar said.

There was also a workshop “Constructing the Leadership Canvas in Community Engagement”, focusing on the efforts to develop leadership in community engagement, conducted by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (BJIM) Professor Dato’ Dr. Susie See Ching Mey.

Present at the ceremony was the Rector of Universitas Andalas, Dr. Werry Darta Taifur. At the closing ceremony of UCEC 2013, the hosting of the 4^th UCEC 2015 was handed over to the Australian College of Applied Psychology (ACAP).  Three delegates from ACAP received the plaque to signify their role as the new host. University of Kyoto was chosen to host the 5^th UCEC 2017.

UCEC 2013 is considering the effort to empower universities in continuing the practice of churning out the knowledge available, explore methods, strategies and experience in forging understanding and social involvement among different stakeholders, strengthening the capacity of universities in the social transformation process, particularly in the context of social justice and sustainable development as well as enhancing cooperation network in sharing expertise among educationists, community members, and practitioners who are directly involved in community development, in particular best practices involving the university-community engagement.

During his stay in Padang, Indonesia, the Vice-Chancellor also held discussions with the Rector of Universitas Andalas, Dr Werry Darta Talfur and Bupati Dharmasraya, Adi Gunawan concerning academic, industrial networks, community networks, and education development matters.

Omar also met USM alumni who were there, including the Deputy Rector of the Faculty of Economics Universitas Andalas, Dr. Herry; Deputy Rector of the Faculty of Engineering, Dr. Febrin Anas Ismail; Dean of the Faculty of Economics, Professor Tafdil Husni and 17 others who are attached to the university there. - Translation: Yong Check Yoon