PENANG, 3 June 2023 - The American Chemical Society of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) International Student Chapter (ACS USM) successfully organized an alumnus sharing session entitled “Fulbright-Bridging USA & Malaysia via Education,” in collaboration with the Malaysian American Commission on Educational Exchange (MACEE).

This year marks the 60th year since the binational education commission has been established in Malaysia. Nonetheless, the general awareness about their existence remains low amongst Malaysian university students and scholars. Thus, this event was held to provide insightful information about the prestigious William J. Fulbright and Global Undergraduate Exchange (UGRAD) programs, both of which are administered by MACEE.

The insightful event was held at Dewan Pembangunan Siswa 1, located within Kompleks Cahaya Siswa at the USM Main Campus, and involving the Executive Director of MACEE, Mr. Curtis Johnson; USM BHEPA Scholarships Department officer, Puan Ilanee Binti Mohd Nasir; 271 USM students, 17 committee members and 4 distinguished speakers.

All of the four speakers were former MACEE grantees who are currently based (or previously) at Universiti Sains Malaysia. The speakers were comprising of Dr. G. Veera Singham (Fulbright Malaysian Scholar 2022), urban entomologist at Centre of Chemical Biology USM, Associate Professor ChM Dr. Lee Hooi Ling (Fulbright US-ASEAN Scholar 2021), an associate professor with the School of Chemical Sciences, Ms. Priyashinee (Global UGRAD Finalist 2020-2021), currently employed at International Workplace Group (IWG) and Ms. Hervinder Kaur (Global UGRAD Finalist 2022-2023, a current third year Applied Biology undergraduate student.

During the event, Mr. Curtis shared the qualities of an applicant that MACEE looks for while evaluating an application and answered some interesting questions from the participants during the Q&A session.

In addition, Dr. Veera and Assoc. Prof. ChM Dr. Lee Hooi Ling shared their journey as researchers in the States, whilst Ms. Priyashinee and Ms. Hervinder Kaur inspired students to apply for a semester exchange programme.

ACS USM is pleased with the success of the event and expressed gratitude to everyone involved in their partaking. The organization pledged to remain committed to creating impactful events for USM students that can diversify the curriculum and develop talent, while emphasizing the impact of global education towards the development of a better Malaysia, in line with the aspiration of Malaysia MADANI.

Text and Photo: Hervinder Kaur