PENANG, 3 March 2013 – The Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Prof. Dato’ Omar Osman suggested that linkages between USM alumni with the university need to be strengthened and one of the ways is to introduce a programme ‘1 Alumni 1 Book’.

He said such a programme would be the easiest step in strengthening the alumni-university network, besides it can be expanded to other larger-scale programmes such as ‘1 Alumni 1 Scholarship’ and ‘1 Alumni 1 Contribution’ which will help to enhance the achievements of the university.

“It is like we cast a net to reduce the gap that exists between our more than 200,000 alumni from different places with the university. We will get them to touch base with the university and we start with a small programme such as that of the ‘1 Alumni 1 Book’,'' he said.

He was speaking at the opening of the 17th USM Alumni Association (PAUSM) General Meeting at the Dewan Persidangan Universiti here recently.

During the 2013/2015 term, members unanimously appointed Mohamed Talha Idrus as PAUSM president, succeeding Dato’ Syed Jamal Syed Jaafar. A total of 13 other alumni were appointed to the top positions supporting the presidential leadership.

In the meantime, Omar also announced that the university will contribute RM15,000 to the PAUSM to facilitate the activities of the alumni.

The university would support PAUSM and the societies under its care in whatever means possible as he described the alumni as university assets, whether within or outside the country.

 

“Alumni are ambassadors of the university, particularly those outside the campus. Because of this we will create alumni icons from various fields so that they will be the movers and serve as a reference to each alumnus," said Omar. 

He also suggested that some activities such as Balikampus Programme, Sirih Pulang ke Gagang and other newly proposed activities such as ‘1 Alumni 1 Book’ should be continued. 

After the AGM, the alumni visited USM NADI Centre and later had a fruitful discussion about the direction of alumni with the Vice-Chancellor and the Alumni Liaison Office Director, Mohamad Abdullah. 

Moreover, all the alumni who attended the event had the opportunity to visit Anjung Jannatun (the official residence of the Vice-Chancellor) where a simple tea party awaited them.

 Also present were the Academic and International Affairs Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ahmad Shukri Mustapa Kamal; Registrar, Siti Zubaidah A. Hamid; Alumni Sabah Vice-President, Augustine Wong and also representatives of the Doctor Alumni Association (PADU). - Text: Nor Rafizah Md Zain/Photo: Mohd Fairus Md. Isa, Yong Check Yoon/Translation: Tan Ewe Hoe