USM picked as Apex university
Universiti Sains Malaysia beat a field of eight other higher learning centres to emerge as the Higher Education Ministry's choice for Apex university.
Universiti Sains Malaysia beat a field of eight other higher learning centres to emerge as the Higher Education Ministry's choice for Apex university.
Apex, or Accelerated Programme for Excellence, is an initiative by the ministry to assist local universities reach world-class standards.
Base on USM's readiness to change and its potential to reach this goal, the Penang-based university was picked ahead of older and more illustrious universities such as Universiti Malaya.
Under the ministry's plans, three tracks are identified - Institution of Transformation, Excellence centres and Specialised Development.
For track one, USM was selected from a field of nine applicants - Universiti Malaya, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia, Universiti Islam Sains Malaysia, Universiti Tenaga Nasional, Universiti Teknologi Petronas and USM.
The evaluation for track one was based on the state of readiness of the university concerned, its transformation plan and its preparedness for change.
Announcing the ministry's choice at a press conference today, Higher Education Minister Khaled Nordin said: "After going through a period of close examination, there was only candidate which fulfilled all the requirements - USM.
Clear plans by USM
Based on the theme "Transforming Higher Education for a Sustainable Tomorrow", USM presented clear plans in the field of research into global environmental issues, said the ministry's statement.
"The steps highlighted in their proposal were into global issues which others did not."
Apart from that, Khaled added that USM's strategy and plans were also stronger as it involved many other universities and would be guided by the vice chancellor.
On the question of funding, Khaled said that USM had submitted a five-year budget and the ministry will look into it every year. Allocations will also be channelled via its budget.
On the inclusion of other universities, Khaled said: "USM will have to go through several phases before it attains its objective.
"If they reach their target quickly, we will consider including another university to join the Apex programme."
Autonomy in finance
The Apex university was proposed in the National Higher Education Strategic Plan (PSPTN) where universities will be divided into three groups namely; Apex University, Elite University and Competitive University.
Apex university is a university of excellence used as a yardstick in higher education worldwide.
Under PSPTN, the Apex university is promised autonomy in finance, service scheme, management, student intake, study fees and determining the top leadership.
It will also be allowed to recruit more lecturers and foreign students to create researchers of Nobel laureate status.
Apex university could also offer better terms of service and salary to foreign lecturers to become more competitive despite being under the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971.
