KPT TOUR TO HIGHLIGHT THE DISTINCTIONS OF PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES

KOTA BHARU, 17 October 2015 – The Ministry of Higher Education (KPT)  “Soaring Upwards” Tour Programme series was held here recently, exhibiting the 10 Thrusts under the Malaysia Education Development Plan-Higher Education (PPPM-PT) 2015 – 2025, as an endeavour to disseminate facts on the achievements of the public universities at the world stage. 

According to the Minister of Higher Education, Dato' Seri Idris Jusoh an external report was also available, stating on the research achievements of the local public universities, which were higher than of the universities in neighbouring countries, especially with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) at the top 50 of the best in the field of Environmental Science, as well as being placed at 54 in the world in the field of Engineering Technology. 

"We also hope that our graduates would be able to offer new career opportunities, and not just to be job-seekers and working for others,” said Idris. 

He added, the university too has offered four different tracks, in choosing to be either a lecturer, researcher, assuming a leadership post in the university or becoming a professional in the clinical areas. 

Among the five public universities to be listed in the top 100 best universities in Asia are Universiti Malaya (UM) at number 29, USM at number 49, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) at number 56, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) at number 62 and Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) at number 66. 

USM Neuroscience expert Professor Dato’ Dr. Jafri Malin Abdullah, who is also a successful alumni member of USM, later shared some information on the current effort done by the Neuroscience Department, in studying a vaccine on NCD for the treatment of cancer, more specifically brain cancer, which is funded by the National Cancer Council (MAKNA).

“At USM too, we conduct surgeries on certain parts of the brain while the patient is conscious, and the patient could read the Al-Quran and perform prayers, all done within the set surgical specifications,” he said. 

Added Jafri further, this surgery was conducted nine years ago at USM and has been documented in medical journals. 

Others who attended the programme were the Director-General of Higher Education Dato' Professor Asma Ismail, Vice-Chancellor of USM Professor Dato' Dr. Omar Osman,  Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) Professor Dato' Dr. Mortaza Mohamed 
and key officials of KPT and other public universities. 

Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin