USM, PENANG, 20 April 2016 – The rebranding exercise of the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) International Office (IO) to become the International Mobility and Career Centre (IMCC) has provided a new dimension in the planning of programmes for USM students to facilitate more exchange of ideas with the international students in addition to having a better appreciation of the diversity from the many different countries. 

The Director of IMCC, Dr. Muhizam Mustafa said that, the changes were made based on the strategy of the university in striving for the internationalisation of USM as the APEX University.

“When it was known as the International Office, the scope was narrower but now that it is known as IMCC, the scope has widened as it now encompasses the market for international students as well as the industrial trainings for students to be done abroad,” he explained when met during the Fuse Interaction Night recently.

Added Muhizam further, Fuse Interaction Night was an effort by IMCC as an international hub to ensure that international and local students in USM would share experiences studying at USM and also for them to have a better understanding and appreciation of the many different cultures.

“International students would not only be here for their studies but also to be able to interact with local students more closely and indirectly understand about the various cultures,” he said.

He added that, this programme is an opportunity to see that our university is not only among the best in the country but also as a likely option for international students because of the diversity and the presence of good-natured and amiable student environment.

Fuse is the first programme to be introduced after the establishment of IMCC, and Muhizam hoped that the programme could be held again in order for the centre to be successful in its internationalisation efforts at USM.

In addition to this programme, IMCC has also introduced a more laidback activity known as 'Coffee Hour Class’ where respective international students would teach foreign languages to the local students, languages such as German and Finnish.

”IMCC will run more programmes throughout this year, as IMCC is now focused on enhancing the name of the university, not only in academics but also in more areas,” said Muhizam.

The Project Director of FUSE Interaction Night, Syed Kamil Naufal Syed Yusof, 22, said the main objective of this programme was to provide a delightful experience to the international students, and for them to share their good experiences at USM, being a university that has a very conducive environment and is supportive of every activity conducted by the students.

“For the first time, we are having a bonfire night for the students to see performances by local and international students in a casual setting, in addition to having booths for the international students to promote and sell food, as well as having a specially-invited fire performer,” said Naufal, the second-year Social Science student.

Text: Nandhini Thiagaraja (USM Internship student)