PENANG, 5 May 2015 - Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) will continue to enhance the talent of its academics and students through Knowledge Transfer Programmes (KTP) by encouraging them and members of USM community to deposit their novel ideas directly to BankIDEA@USM which can be accessed without any borders.

USM Vice-Chancellor Professor Dato' Dr. Omar Osman said this during the Project Evaluation and Selection Workshop for the Fifth Rolling Plan and KTP-Melaka Special Projects’ Knowledge Transfer Programme Grant Scheme here this morning.

According to Omar, KTP seeks to build the capacity of new human capital, particularly among fresh graduates who have recently completed their studies by including them in projects to be implemented throughout the country which will transfer the university’s research findings to the community through partnerships with industry stakeholders.

“It is hoped that this two-day workshop which seeks to re-evaluate the various project proposals will enable us to identify aspects in these projects that can be refined,” he stated.

The Vice-Chancellor, who is also the Chair of the KTP Critical Agenda Programme under the Ministry of Education, stressed the need for more academics to understand the importance of KTP in order to attract higher participation which would thereby translate to even more projects carried out for the benefit of the community.

“BankIDEA@USM which will be launched soon will act as the facilitating mechanism for borderless sharing of ideas and views by academics and students alike for the excellence of the university,” added Omar.

According to Omar, long-term investment in education is an important basis for the development of a nation, echoing advice from former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to the young to study hard and master several languages, especially the English language in the quest for knowledge and life in general. - Translation: Dr Nurul Farhana Low Abdullah/Text: Siti Naquiah Abdillah