PENANG, November 2013 - Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) will launch an empowerment of students’ talents and skills programme within the development framework of the Accelerated Programme for Excellence (APEX) Phase Two which is known as the APEX Scholar Programme.

USM Vice-Chancellor Professor Dato’ Dr. Omar Osman said that the programme’s objective is to give students a recognition and platform where they can strive for academic achievements and enhance their soft skills.

He said the programme will focus on fostering a global mindset among students and university will give support in providing special programmes such as language skills, leadership, and entrepreneurship.

“It is the university’s hope that this scholarship programme will be implemented middle of next year as at now it is still in the final stage of blueprinting,” he said during the press conference held here.

Omar had earlier presented the letter of appointment to the USM Students’ Representative Council (MPP) EXCO for the academic year 2013/2014. Also present at the ceremony was Deputy Vice-Chancellor Student Affairs and Development, Professor Dr. Adnan Hussein.

Omar added that the new MPP leadership has set six objectives so as to lead students towards a global mindset in line with the university goal to increase the level of competency among students.

He said that as at now only 15 percent of graduates in Malaysia succeed in their career internationally and USM hopes that the figure will increase through the implementation of the programme planned.

“We will foster a culture of internationalisation among students as early as their first year of study and the implementation will be improved from time to time,” he said.

In the meantime, 45 students were selected to form the new MPP Exco in last month’s student election led by its president, Mohammad Shafiq Kamaruddin.

Three more students – Jemindar Ab Kadir, Muhammad Mus'ab Umair Azeman and Shah Ozair Shaharuddin – were appointed as Vice-Presidents I, II, and III respectively.

Nurul Amni Azizan was appointed as the secretary while Mazni Mohd Zuki was elected as the Treasurer. - Translation: Siti Faizah Abd Halim/Text: Marziana Mohamed Alias/Photo: Mohd Azrul Mohd Azhar