USM PENANG, 21 Sept. 2022 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Dr. Faisal Rafiq Mahamd Adikan today officiated the opening ceremony of The LIFE programme, held at Kompleks Cahaya Siswa (KOMCA), USM Main Campus.

The LIFE programme is a brainchild of USM that introduces various aspects of life through experiential learning.

It aspires to pave the way for students to be one step ahead from everyone else and also to ensure that students will attain the necessary perspectives and acquire the essential skill sets needed to thrive in the world.

In his opening speech, Faisal Rafiq said that most of USM students will be graduating and will become leaders in their own respective field, thus they need to have the four traits at their disposal, namely credibility, character, compassion and communication.

“It is my hope and wish that each student participating in this experiential learning offered by this programme will engage with peers to develop their thinking, reasoning, communication and presentation skills,” he said.

Meanwhile, USM Senior Lecturer, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute (IPPT) who is also the Head of The LIFE programme, Dr. Kumitha Theva Das said that it is hoped that the LIFE programme would help students to create experiences through the activities that they have embarked on.

“In going through the LIFE programme, you will not only make new friends, but you will also learn more about yourself, the society and the world around you, all through an education system done differently,” said Kumitha.

In the LIFE programme, activities have been planned to bring students the experiences that could lead to a more productive life that they will embark upon in the future.

Several modules have been created to achieve the purpose. They are in the form of:

1. Cents of Life (Digital Financial Literacy) – teaching students how to prepare financially for difficult times and how to manage money well.
2. Discovering Living Labs (Climate Change Resilience) – teaching students to appreciate and preserve nature.
3. Innovative Thinking: Skill of the Future (Computational and Design Thinking) – teaching students on how to solve problems critically and creatively.
4. YOUnique: From Genes to Gen (Genomics and Gerontology) – learning on how we can age gracefully.
5. Grit in You (Grit and Psychology) – learning that nothing is impossible.
6. Living Sustainably (Sustainable Development Goals) – learning that they can always turn waste into wealth.
7. In Search of HEBAT Student (Hebat Development Centre) – challenging the creativity, innovation, critical thinking, global thinking and competitive spirit through venturing into entrepreneurship.

The programme will equip students with the experiences needed to appreciate themselves, the society and the word as the courses will embody sustainable health, financial stability and a sustainable environment, so that no matter where they may end up in the world, they will be guaranteed a wonderful future and a better LIFE!

Also present at the programme were USM Deputy Vice-Chancellor Student Development Affairs and Alumni, Professor Dr. Azlinda Azman; The LIFE programme advisors; USM Deans and Deputy Deans of respective schools; members of The LIFE programme teams and principal officers of USM.

Text: Nur Farrah Ezlin Mohd Suhaimi