PENANG, September 2015 - Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is considering the Bachelor’s programme in Heritage Science, which combines the arts discipline with other scientific fields, to be offered beginning in the 2016/2017 academic session.

According to the Vice-Chancellor of USM, Professor Dato' Dr Omar Osman, USM is currently offering a minor programme in Heritage Science, covering areas of study such as archaeology, biology, as well as various subjects in the field of liberal arts.

"USM would be signing a memorandum of understanding with foreign universities which offer identical or almost similar programmes, and also the possibility of offering places to undertake research or for industrial training in foreign countries," said Omar.

The programme comprises of various trans-disciplinary studies, with the involvement of at least eight schools or centres in USM, with high expectations of raising the standards of the trans-disciplinary programme.

"The courses to be offered would also need to contain elements of entrepreneurship, as how it is being done at the School of Management," added Omar.

"For the programme to be recognised at the international level, the courses need to be conducted in the English language, and this would attract more international students to come to USM to pursue the studies in Heritage Science," he said further when officiating the Second Workshop on Heritage Science (Bengkel Kedua Sains Warisan), bringing together panellists from government agencies such as the National Archives (Arkib Negara Malaysia), Department of Museums (Jabatan Muzium Malaysia) and the National Visual Arts Gallery (Balai Seni Visual Negara).

Dean of the School of the Arts, Associate Professor Mohamad Omar Bidin said the idea surfaced at the end of 2013, which was in line with the vision of USM to develop a trans-disciplinary programme to uphold the philosophy of ensuring a sustainable tomorrow.

“At the moment, this course curriculum is being finalised before it is presented to the Public Services Department (JPA) and the USM Senate,” added Mohamad Omar.

According to the Director of the Centre for Global Archaeological Research, Professor Dato’ Dr. Mohd Mokhtar Saidin, the already-existing local heritage studies would be an interesting programme to be offered globally, with areas of study in monument heritage, the environment, performing arts and archaeology.

“By taking this route, the process of preservation and conservation of the national heritage could also be enhanced,” added Mohd Mokhtar.

Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin

Text: Nor Rafizah Md Zain

Photo: Mohd Fairus Md Isa​