USM PENANG, 20 April 2022 - Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) with its vision of "Transforming Higher Education for a Sustainable Tomorrow" and with the mission as a "Pioneering Transdisciplinary Research-Intensive University; empowering future talents and enables the bottom billions to transform their social-economic well-being" will be moving forward for the 2022 till 2024 strategic plan in order to produce momentum for its long-term progress.

This was mentioned by the USM Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Dr. Faisal Rafiq Mahamd Adikan during his meeting with the university communities at the Main Campus today in Dewan Tuanku Syed Putra (DTSP), Penang.

Faisal Rafiq said, what USM has set out to accomplish will mainly be a three-pronged move that will continue to address neglected areas (fundamentals); to continue the progress towards achieving operational excellence and positive achievement (progressive); and to invest in the future (advanced).

“Will all the above mentioned going on positively, we will be expecting the best outcomes which will consist of quality students; quality administrators and support staff; quality academics; research alignment; and financial strength,” he said in front of hundreds who attended the session physically with tight adherence to SOPs.

Moreover, looking at the strategic areas, Faisal Rafiq said there are three focus that needed to be catered to that are firstly, the global foresight in the readiness to deal with the pandemic; advent of digital technologies and connectivity; and the alignment with the needs of the environment, social and governance (ESG).

“Secondly is, the national positioning that deals with the larger role in national and community aspirations and finally the third area is, institutional sustainability that relates to the issues of being relevant and ensuring resilience and wellbeing of the people; having sustainable financial strength; and producing research that is current and substantial,” he emphasised.

Furthermore, in order to move forward during this phase, Faisal Rafiq said USM needs to look deep at its PEOPLE, RESEARCH and INSTITUTION.

“USM needs to develop globally competitive talents which are relevant to national and international needs, with the focus on appreciating talents and leaders; providing world-class wellfare support system; producing value-driven HEBAT students; having innovative lifelong learning programmes; achieving excellence in teaching and learning; and ensuring competitive academic programmes.

“USM also needs to enhance the research ecosystem by supporting national development and achieving global prominence with the strategy of expanding the research output; increasing the community engagement; impactful engagement with the industry; sustaining the innovation; consolidating niche areas; and reshaping its expertise," he mentioned.

Finally, it will be on enhancing the institution based on ethical principles; financial and environment sustainability that will mainly focus on enhancing global prominence; sustainability of facilities and infrastructures; reducing carbon footprint on campus; enhancing awareness on sustainability; intensifying alumni contributions; and setting the USM ethics.

In the session also, Faisal Rafiq mentioned some of the USM projects that will be rolling out soon for the benefits of all the communities.

Text: Hafiz Meah Ghouse Meah/Photo: Ebrahim Abdul Manan