PENANG, 27 February 2016 - Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is restructuring and rebranding its International Office (IO) to become the International Mobility and Career Centre (IMCC) beginning this year.

The Director of IMCC, Dr. Muhizam Mustafa said that, the difference between IO and IMCC is the addition of the marketability element or the Graduate Employability (GE) factor for the students, with the focus on providing USM students with the platform for employment abroad. 

"IMCC would structure programmes that would allow our students to learn and understand further about work practices in foreign environments, to gather experiences as much as possible and to have a better understanding of the diverse cultures in those countries.” 

"Previously, the exposure would be given to our students for them to be able to compete with the foreigners in learning and academics, but now its function would be more on efforts to raise the level of confidence and capabilities of our students, for them to be at the same level as their peers from the more advanced countries and those globally," said Muhizam.

He added that, the two main objectives of the IMCC rebranding exercise would be, to promote USM to international students and to attract them with the benefits of studying here, in order for more to come to USM.

"The second objective is to increase the mobility of students into and out of the country, through the networks with various parties and renowned universities via the numerous available linkages already in place, such as the AUN-ACTS (ASEAN University Network), AIMS (ASEAN International Mobility for Students), UMAP (University Mobility in Asia and the Pacific) and ASEAN International Mobility Bangkok," said Muhizam. 

His office also hoped that all parties concerned, especially the academic schools at USM, could assist in promoting relations with international partners to facilitate the access for the international students to come here.  

On the other hand, USM students are also urged to be involved in the Student Buddies programme, which is organised by IMCC, to provide assistance to international students who come to USM through various student exchange programmes.

Muhizam hoped that IMCC would be able to promote the USM name to the international community and in the process, attracting more students from various foreign countries to undergo their studies here, including those coming under the student exchange programmes.

"We are aiming to have around 4,000 international students at USM as stipulated by the Ministry of Higher Education, and even hoping to raise the targeted number in the future," said Muhizam.

Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin

Text: Nur Izzah’ Atirah’ Muhamad Nazmi (USM internship student)