PENANG, 19 July 2016 – Learning the English Language has been given a boost for the third time at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), with the continuation of the English and Leadership Intensive Camp 3 (ELIC 3), to be held from 17 until 22 July 2016.

Dean, School of Languages, Literacies and Translation USM, Professor Dr. Tengku Sepora Tengku Mahadi said that, the success in organising this course for the third time is hoped to provide an impact to the participants in understanding, learning and enhancing their grasp of the English language.

"This course would not only improve their academic communication skills in English but also in other areas in this era of globalisation," she said, representing the USM Vice-Chancellor Professor Dato' Dr. Omar Osman in delivering the welcoming speech.

She added that, with the effort of the teaching staff from USM and the use of available facilities, the course is aimed at providing a better understanding on the subject to the participants and would become an impetus for this collaboration to be continued in the coming years.

This course has received financial support from the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Penang and the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre.

Meanwhile, the Thai Consul-General in Penang, Her Excellency Ms. Ekajit Kraivichien stated that this course is an opportunity for the Thai students to gain valuable experience learning the English language in Malaysia in the broader perspective and more specifically at USM.

She explained that, this course offers an added-value element of the curriculum for the students as well as in being a platform for them to further understand the language and culture in Malaysia.

Ekajit also expressed her great appreciation to USM in providing the assistance and ensuring the success of the course this third time around.

60 students were selected from secondary schools in the five southern provinces in Thailand and 6 teaching staff from USM would be involved in this course.

Apart from USM, other universities in the northern region of Peninsula Malaysia involved in the programme include Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UNIMAP) and Kolej Universiti Insaniah (KUIN).

This course was the result of the cooperation between the USM Student Affairs and Alumni Division (HEPA), Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre (SBPAC) Thailand, Thai Student Group in Northern Malaysia (TN) and Thai Student Association in Malaysia (TSAM).

Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin

Text: Hafiz Meah Ghouse Meah / Photo: Mohd Fairus Md. Isa