USM PENANG, 1 May 2021 - The Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Professor Dr. Faisal Rafiq Mahamd Adikan was honoured to receive a courtesy visit from officials of the Embassy of The Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) led by its Cultural and Education Attache in conjunction with the Indonesian Community Engagement Programme in Penang, organised by the Indonesian Community Society in Penang (PERMAI) here today.  

The meeting took place at The Bricks@USM and was also attended by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic and International, Professor Dato’ Dr. Narimah Samat; Acting Director of International Mobility and Collaboration Centre (IMCC), Aizat Hisham Ahmad and the IMCC managers.  

Various matters pertaining to the welfare of the Indonesian students pursuing their studies in USM were being discussed including the standards of accommodation, the study environment, the flow of their learning process and opportunities for research work upon the completion of their studies.

The Cultural and Education Attache, Dr. Mokhammad Farid Maruf and his team later held a dialogue session with the Indonesian students at USM.  

The KBRI delegation also received a special invitation from USM to join the iftar (breaking of fast) ceremony alongside the Malaysian Director-General of Higher Education, Professor Dato' Dr. Husaini Omar; the Chairman of USM Board of Governors,  Dato' Dr. Awang Adek Hussin, and USM senior management at the USM Al-Malik Khalid Mosque.

The visit is hoped to foster positive cooperation and strengthen the ties and relationship between USM and KBRI, especially in formulating strategic plans to increase the number of students from Indonesia to USM, as well as in improving student support services and other potential collaboration in research and academic in the future.

All of the sessions were also attended by student representatives from the Indonesian Student Society of USM.

USM Vice-Chancellor took the opportunity to extend his deepest condolences to the people of Indonesia on behalf of the entire USM community over the demise of 53 crew members on board the sunken submarine KRI Nanggala 402 recently. USM stands ready to provide any assistance that may be required.

Text: Aizat Hisham Ahmad/Editing: Tan Ewe Hoe/Infographic: Ebrahim Abdul Manan