Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)

Institution Overview

Background Information of Institution

Established as the second university in the country in 1969, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) was first known as the University of Penang, before the University Act came into effect on 4th October 1971.

The university has been developing and expanding since its inception, which started with the enrolment of 57 science based students. Now, USM offers courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels to approximately 20,000 students. USM has also become a well-known university at the local and international level.

In 1969, the University of Penang was established in response to the need for a larger campus with a more conducive environment, appropriate to the needs of the future of the country.

In April 1969, Professor Hamzah Sendut was elected the Vice Chancellor. Two months later, a group of 57 students were accepted to begin their studies. Since the area of Sungai Ara could not be developed as fast as required, the group was placed at the Malayan Teachers’ Training College at Bukit Gelugor on loan from the Education Ministry. In 1971, the campus, which was originally planned to be situated in Sungai Ara, moved to its present site, Minden, a beautiful location with an area measuring 500 acres. The green and hilly scenery facing the sea is truly captivating.

To date, this is the only university that holds the Accelerated Programme for Excellence status (APEX) in Malaysia. The programme is scheduled to run from 2008 to 2025. It is a high-profile programme under the National Higher Education Strategic Plan (NHESP) that aims to boost a potentially recognised university to be a world-renowned institution.

USM main campus is located within the surroundings of the Georgetown-UNESCO World Heritage site on the tropical island of Penang, Malaysia with a land area of 253.98 hectares. USM has three campuses –the main campus located on the island of Penang, and two other branch campuses nestled in Kubang Kerian, Kelantan (Health Campus) and Nibong Tebal, Penang (Engineering Campus). In addition, USM also has a presence in Bertam, Pulau Pinang (Advanced Medical and Dental Institute), Wisma Sejarah, Kuala Lumpur (Integrated Marketing Communication) and an offshore programme in Belgaum, India (USM-KLE International Medical Programme).

What Makes Us Special?

Right from the time of its establishment, USM has adopted an innovative approach to higher education and of significance is its departure from the traditional faculty system of academic organisation. In its place, USM implements the broad-based “school” system where related subjects are grouped into schools of study and within each school, the policy combines subjects and organises courses in such a manner that a degree of specialisation in a chosen subject is possible.

From the outset, USM was given the mandate to provide, promote, and develop higher education in the fields of Natural Sciences, Applied Sciences, Medical and Health Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Building Sciences & Technology, Social Sciences, Humanities, and Education, as well as to provide for research and advancement of knowledge and the dissemination of such knowledge in these fields of study.

As one of the institutions of higher learning recognised by the then Ministry of Higher Education as a research-intensive university, USM offers educational and research opportunities to both students and staff. One of the key elements in the development of academic excellence at USM is the establishment of its research centres and units. This is due to the fact that the university has always been aware of the need for both research and teaching to remain as receptive as possible to the demands of society, and that the centres and units would provide better opportunities for integration and networking.

In addition, USM also provides consultancy, testing, and advisory services to various industries. These services come under the ambit of USAINS Holdings Sdn Bhd, the University’s commercial arm.

Programme Outline

USM offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes that are conducted by the following Schools: Main Campus, Penang.

Hybrid
Graduate School of Business, School of Distance Education, School of Educational Studies, School of Housing, Building & Planning, School of Industrial Technology, School of Management.

Arts
School of the Arts, School of Communication, School of Humanities, School of Languages, Literacies & Translation, School of Social Sciences.

Sciences
School of Biological Sciences, School of Chemical Sciences, School of Computer Sciences, School of Mathematical Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Physics

Engineering Campus, Nibong Tebal

Engineering
School of Aerospace Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, School of Civil Engineering, School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Schools of Materials & Mineral Resources Engineering, School of Mechanical Engineering

Health Campus, Kubang Kerian

Health
School of Dental Sciences, School of Health Sciences, School of Medical Sciences

Academic Facilities & Resources

The facilities that USM provides for its students are delineated below:

• Warm and cosy cafeterias, as well as well-designed pavilions
• An impressive museum filled with world-class and state-of- the-art displays
• Art Gallery with fine art pieces
• Lecture theatre and halls to facilitate classroom learning and teaching
• Banks, bookshop, pharmacy, a post office and retail outlet to cater to the needs of students
• An outstanding research library containing over one million items and an extensive network of electronic databases and internet access
• Students’ residences that accommodate their stay on campus
• A Sports Centre that is equipped with indoor and outdoor facilities that cater to students’ sporting events and games

Students Support Services & Students Development Activities

USM provides various services to its students such as hostel accommodation, counselling/motivational guidance, sport and recreational amenities like soccer fields, 8-lane synthetic running track, an Astroturf hockey stadium and an Olympic-sized swimming pool. Cultural events and activities are organised at the Cultural Hall to foster closer ties among students. There are also various clubs and societies that cater to a wide array of interests. These include the Political Science Society, Computer Science Club, Indian Cultural Club, Navigator Society, Astronomy Club, Debating & Public Speaking Club, and Mass Communication Club to name a few. The Counselling Unit at USM offers support services to help develop students’ potential and capabilities.

Besides contributing to the national research effort and advancement of knowledge in general, the university has also taken steps to identify and periodically assess areas of research which are deserving of special support, in order to compete more effectively for external funds. In USM’s bid to provide better incentives for the development of new products and processes by its staff, it has recently drawn up specific rules governing the patenting and commercialisation of research results.

International Awards & Recognition

• Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has been granted the Gold Trusted Brand Award by Reader’s Digest for 2009, 2012 and 2013 for the Public University category
• For the 2013 QS Asian University rankings, USM was at 61st place