ALOR SETAR, 8 August 2016 – The Kedah Mentri Besar, Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md. Hanipah welcomes the collaboration between Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) in advancing education and economic development in the state of Kedah.

He said this to reporters after witnessing the exchange of Documents of Agreement for theScience@Alor Setarprogramme at the Kedah Mentri Besar Office here recently.

According to the USM Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato' Dr. Omar Osman, this project is aimed at promoting education and the learning of Science and Technology, as well as in developing the economy and talents located in Alor Setar, which include the marketability of graduates in fulfilling the needs and demands of the industry, promoting local activities through innovations and research development through the concept of shared values and to assist in ensuring the success of the 2013-2018 Kedah Transformation Plan.

"USM would be offering and conducting courses through the School of Distance Education on subjects such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics, training programmes by the Centre for Innovation and Productivity in Public Administration (PIPPA) and programmes to promote innovation and the community in Kedah at Sik, Jerlun and Pedu by the Community Innovation Centre (CIC)," he said.

Apart from that also he said, the knowledge transfer programme would be strengthened with the energy efficiency programme for selected secondary schools in Kedah in enhancing sustainable energy-efficient practices by the Centre for Education and Training on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency + Green Technology (CETREE+GT), and development of the human capital through TVET as well as the growth of industrial areas.

"USM would also assist in developing the potential of the tourism industry in Kedah which is in Kuala Muda-Yan (Geo-Eco-Archaeo), nominating Gunung Jerai (Mount Jerai) as the National Geopark for 2017, the Merbok Mangroves as a UNESCO Biosphere 2017, the Sungai Batu Complex as a UNESCO archaeological heritage site and the KEDAH-USM Knowledge Centre as a venue for exhibitions, recreation, research, training and commerce at the Semeling Jetty and finally, for courses in Halal food management and food technology," said the USM Vice-Chancellor further.

Meanwhile, the Chief Executive of the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA), Datuk Redza Rafiq then said that, the cooperation established was to spur development in the state of Kedah, as written in the Pledge of the Kedah State Government and the initiative to develop the human capital, which would lead to an increase in the quality of future graduates and in the knowledge on science and technology in Kedah.

"NCIA as the authority governing the development in the northern corridor would continue to perform its role in driving the growth and progress within the region, which is comprised of the states of Perlis, Kedah, Penang and Perak," said Redza who is also a member of the USM Board of Governors.

At the same event, theScience@Alor Setar logo was launched alongside the exchange of documents of agreement between NCIA and USM and also between the Kedah State Government and USM.

Also present were the Head of Industry and Investment Committee, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs & Cooperatives of Kedah, YB Dato’ Dr. Ku Abdul Rahman Bin Ku Ismail; Chairperson, USM Board of Governors, Tan Sri Datuk Dr. Zulkefli A. Hassan; Kedah Deputy State Secretary (Development), Ammar Bin Dato’ Shaikh Mahmood Naim; USM Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Professor Dato’ Dr. Muhamad Jantan; USM Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Industry and Community Network), Professor Dr. Abdul Rahman Mohamed; USM Management Committee members and other dignitaries.

Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin

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