PENANG, 26 December 2015 - Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) needs to brace for the many challenges in 2016 and the years ahead including in the area of generating own income.

The Director of Research Creativity and Management Office (RCMO) and the newly set up International Collaboration Office, Professor Dr. Lee Keat Teong said USM is ready and capable of facing the challenges ahead, and it was very timely that the Vice-Chancellor made such recommendations to the heads of the Responsibility Centres (PTJ).

"For example, most of the Research Management Centres (RMC) in the universities in Western countries were able to contribute part of a research grant of up to 30 per cent as the university operating cost.

"However, it is not taken into account as a profit to the university or simply to cover administrative costs, since in the course of a research there are many incidental costs involved, such as electricity, water and others besides the salaries of researchers to be funded by the university," Keat Teong said.

He added that as such it is imperative to increase the income generating activities of the university so that we can become autonomous in the targeted areas.

“When we embark on generating our own income, we will know that it requires enormous effort and hence encourages us to be prudent and responsible in our spending; this will enable the university to practice financial sustainability in moving towards financial autonomy,” he stressed.

When asked how he felt after being given the responsibility to head the two PTJ, Keat Teong who was very excited said, he was grateful to the Vice-Chancellor and top management for their trust in him.

"It is an honour for me to give back to USM for all of the support USM has given me throughout my academic pursuits.

"My academic achievement would not be possible without the support of USM including all my supervisors and mentors who have been guiding me all this while; always ask not what your institution can give to you, but ask what you can contribute to your institution," he added.

On the challenges ahead, Keat Teong said effective time management was important for him in meeting the challenges of managing both PTJ.

"I will try my best to manage my time effectively to ensure that both the PTJ under me will be governed in a more efficient and cost effective way.

“The academic and administrative staff should be entrusted with more responsibility so that they will have a sense of belonging and togetherness in working together to achieve the overall goals of the university,” he said.  

He welcomed the recent appointment of the PTJ heads which saw a mix of new faces and old guards joining hands to chart the way forward for USM.

Keat Teong added that the combination of the new and familiar faces augurs well for the challenges ahead as they are able to share expertise to ensure the successful implementation of all the university’s plan.

Translation: Tan Ewe Hoe

Text: Mohd Azrul Mohd Azhar

Photos: Zamani Abdul Rahim