PENANG, 14 January 2016 – In view of its successes thus achieved so far, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is now focusing its efforts on becoming a Global University (UG).

The USM Vice-Chancellor Professor Dato’ Dr. Omar Osman, in his recent Annual Address to the campus community entitled ‘APEX 2020: Realising a Global University’ (Merealisasikan Universiti Global) pointed out that, after having achieved the eight main characteristics of a global university, USM is confident of realising this effort while facing the various challenges in the future.

The eight characteristics are having a global mission, knowledge production, new roles of faculty, diversified funding, multi-sector linkages, worldwide recruitment, complex university organisation and global collaborations. 

“2015 ended with various successes attained through the efforts, commitment and perseverance of the entire university community, and we have achieved all that with the confidence in having a strong basis to continue in the pursuit of excellence to initiate transformation for the future,” said Omar.

He explained that, there are numerous challenges to be faced in 2016 among which are, the effort to develop and strengthen the knowledge nexus,  raising the capabilities of its staff via multitasking, encouraging its staff to internalise the USM Tenets, the dynamic boom in information technology and advanced technology, responsibilities in advancing lifelong learning and the need to understand wisdom economy in human resource, and of which USM is confident that such efforts can be implemented well in the near future.

“USM for example would focus on the realisation of a UG by giving emphasis on WEHAB+4 (W-Water, E-Energy, H-Health, A-Agricultural, B-Biodiversity) + (Climate Change/Disaster Management; Population Well-Being/Poverty; Production/Consumption; Waste Management) in aligning with the aspirations of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations (UN/PBB) to reflect that the mission of USM parallels the mission of UN,” explained Omar.

He further stressed that, USM would also strive to raise its standing in the world rankings in various fields, by looking at the current achievements with the academicians who have succeeded in attaining the highest rungs in research, collaborations and even those with world-class publications.

“Similarly through the university’s global networks, USM’s academicians and administrators were able to be directly involved in numerous fields, including in industrial and community engagements all over the world, for example in giving assistance to various parties in Nepal and the Philippines which were affected by disasters,” said Omar.

He continued, it is assuring to see that USM was also involved in the offering of academic programmes and collaborating in research together with the industries and renowned universities in the United Kingdom, United States, France, Germany and Japan, including twinning programmes in advanced degrees offering experiences for students to be involved in engagements with the industries.

Among the areas to be given focus at the international level are Disaster Management, Heritage Sciences, Archaeology, Management of Islamic Development, Cognitive Neuroscience, Psychology and Sustainable Development, in cooperation with renowned international universities from the United States, Canada, Brunei, Indonesia and a number of other countries.

Omar also explained that USM would be developing nexus groups in knowledge fields of strength which are related to various current national issues, to facilitate the sharing of expertise and collaboration in various fields of knowledge.

“USM would also refocus on doing research under themes which are closely-related to current issues, in dealing with the challenges of socio-economic development by establishing different nexus groups in areas such as urbanisation and urban poverty, social well-being and ageing (senior citizens), environmental sustainability, disaster management and raising the effectiveness in the process of public sector delivery,” said Omar.

The event which was attended by over 1,000 USM staff, also highlighted the achievements of the 20 Main Programmes of APEX and Quick Wins in fulfilling APEX 2020 by focusing on the execution, monitoring and engagement, functions of the department, school or research centre, output and outcome, good values in the implementation and preparation to optimise the resources available and the increase in productivity together with cost-effectiveness in financial sustainability.

At the same event, Omar launched the APEX 2020 Development Plan and a book entitled ‘Batu Uban: Sejarah Awal Pulau Pinang’ which was written by renowned academician Professor Dato’ Dr. Ahmad Murad Merican.

The event was also attended by member of the University Board of Governors (LGU) Professor Datuk Dr. Omar Shawkataly, Deputy Vice-Chancellors of USM, the Registrar, the Bursar as well as invited guests.

Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin

Text: Mohamad Abdullah / Photo: Mohd Fairus Md. Isa