USM@KL to set sustainability benchmark

Welcome to USM@KL: (From left) Prof Abdul Rahman, Awang Adek, Hafsah and Assoc Prof Dr Hasrina posing for a photo to mark the milestone. — LOW LAY PHON/The Star

TO champion sustainability, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) will delve into areas that are in high demand by the industry and country.

Investors, said USM board of governors chairman Datuk Seri Dr Awang Adek Hussin, are very interested in sustainable companies and products, as industries need to disclose their sustainability practices to reduce carbon emissions and to commit to carbon neutrality by 2050.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, he added, had asked the varsity to take the lead in promoting the sustainability agenda among the country’s institutions of higher learning.

“We want to ensure our relevance and to create impact by setting an example for other universities.

“I hope more universities can look into introducing sustainability courses. This is the way forward, with the rise of digital technology and artificial intelligence,” he said, adding that USM was named the world’s top university for its research efforts and impact towards attaining two of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

According to the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2022, it is also the only Malaysian institution on the overall top 100 list, taking an enormous leap from the 39th to the fourth spot.

Awang Adek, who was speaking at the opening of the varsity’s new KL learning and research centre premises on Oct 9, said the move from Wisma Sejarah, Jalan Tun Razak, to MoF Inc Tower, Platinum Park, Persiaran KLCC, marked a rebranding of Sains@KL to USM@KL.

USM@KL, established on Nov 1, 2013, to offer high impact academic programmes, was initially dubbed Institute of Graduate Studies USM@KL, before it was renamed Sains@KL. On Nov 16 last year, it was renamed USM@KL.

The increase in number of students, said Awang necessitated the move to a bigger, more conducive learning environment.

USM@KL currently has 463 postgraduate students enrolled, with 254 of the total number of students made up of international students, he added.

“We want to double our enrollment as we can accommodate about 1,000 students here.

“We know that learning environment is essential for international talents looking to pursue their studies here.

“Our new premises is strategically located in the heart of KL, which we feel will prove attractive to many,” he later told a press conference.

He said there are also plans to offer more programmes moving forward.

USM@KL currently offers masters and doctoral degrees in the fields of communication, sustainable development practice, psychology, cognitive neurosciences and science. The doctoral degrees are jointly offered with Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI).

“Our fees are very affordable compared to other universities. With the currency exchange now, it is very cheap for foreigners to come and study here,” he said, adding that although USM@KL is now situated in a modern building in the heart of the city, the fees have not increased.

“We are assisted by the government and we were offered this space, which belongs to the Ministry of Finance, at a special rate. Since our rental is not too high, we don’t have to increase the tuition fees.”

Also present at the event were USM vice chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Mohammed, Usains Holding Sdn Bhd chairman Datuk Dr Hafsah Hashim and USM@KL Institute of Graduate Studies deputy dean Assoc Prof Dr Hasrina Mustafa.

Prof Abdul Rahman said aside from being situated in a strategic location with ample access to public transport facilities, USM@KL is also furnished with good study facilities.

“USM@KL is equipped with a computer labs, classrooms with a capacity of up to 100 people, RFID Self-Check Library System, counseling room, EEG room (Electroencephalogram), Teleconferencing System Video, and high-speed Internet,” he said in his welcome address.