USM PENANG, 29 March 2020 – In view of the recent extension of the Movement Control Order (MCO) as announced by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is gathering its resources to provide assistance in various forms to society.

USM has been coordinating efforts in producing 3D-printed face shields, which are much needed as part of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) provided to healthcare frontliners.

 

USM is fully utilizing its knowledge, expertise and equipment in the production process, as part of a collective effort led by various individuals and departments in the university.

The face shields will be provided to frontliners in USM, such as the healthcare personnel in Pusat Sejahtera and also in the Security Department, as well as to others involved directly in dealing with COVID-19 related matters.

“The 3D printing machine will print the necessary parts, and we will assemble the parts and undergo the disinfection process before we distribute the face shields to the frontliners,” said DJ, one of the interns from MAKERS USM who is involved in the production process.

Meanwhile, USM is constantly adhering to the MCO and is exercising all safety and health precautions throughout all campuses to help contain COVID-19 nationwide and ‘flatten the curve’.

Currently, it is estimated that more than 3,000 face shields have been produced through the efforts from individuals and departments such as the USM School of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, School of Aerospace Engineering, School of Mechanical Engineering, School of Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering, School of Computer Sciences, School of the Arts, Collaborative Microelectronic Design Excellence Centre (CEDEC) and MAKERS.

Text: Nabella Ridhuan Lau & Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin