Accelerated Programme for Excellence (APEX)

Sustainability, humanity and the future of humankind are among the key priorities of Universiti Sains Malaysia. Guided by these overarching principles, USM was selected by the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education to implement the Accelerated Programme for Excellence (APEX). The selection was announced by the then Minister of Higher Education, the Honourable Dato' Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, on 3 September 2008.

Since its inception in 1969, USM has undergone various phases of development, not only producing graduates to meet the nation's needs but also serving as a catalyst for progress and nation-building. As USM approached its next 40 years, the University recognised the need to prepare for an increasingly challenging and distinctive future.

Under the APEX proposal entitled "Transforming Higher Education for a Sustainable Tomorrow", USM outlined its commitment to promoting sustainable development and securing a more sustainable future. In particular, the proposal emphasised the survival of the planet and humankind through the responsible use of resources, greater understanding and respect, and the measures needed to build a robust, balanced, prosperous and sustainable future.

Emphasis is placed on integrating sustainable development into the education system to nurture future generations with a strong commitment to ecological protection, resource conservation and human development, guided by the principles of equity, accessibility, availability, affordability, appropriateness and a holistic understanding of quality.

In line with this, USM implemented a rebranding and advocacy programme to strengthen and translate its core mission into action as a pioneering, trans-disciplinary and research-intensive university that nurtures future talent and empowers the bottom billions to improve their socioeconomic well-being. This reflects the vision of "Transforming Higher Education for a Sustainable Tomorrow".

USM was recognised as a Regional Centre of Excellence in Education for Sustainable Development by the United Nations University in Nagoya, Japan, on 29 June 2005. The University has since undertaken various sustainability initiatives. Notable examples include the "White Coffin" campaign, which successfully eliminated the use of polystyrene and served as a model for similar initiatives recognised nationally and internationally, including by the Global University Network for Innovation (GUNI).

The campaign to reduce plastic use on campus is another ongoing initiative. Another example is the development of an "eco-hub" concept, which draws on in-house expertise and available resources, with the support of volunteers from the campus community.

USM continues to address emerging challenges by embracing seven guiding thrusts that helped shape the nation's first APEX university. These thrusts encompass the Future, Uniqueness, Sustainability, Humanity, Universality, Change and Sacrifice, as outlined by the then Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Tan Sri Dato' Dzulkifli Abdul Razak, during the 2009 Annual Address entitled "Universiti APEX: Satu Tuntutan, Satu Pengorbanan" (APEX University: A Quest, A Sacrifice).

This reflects USM's commitment to advancing a sustainable future by using higher education as a platform to benefit humanity while supporting major international initiatives, such as the Millennium Development Goals, Education for All, Education for Sustainable Development and subsequent global development agendas.

In pursuing this vision, USM adopted the Blue Ocean Strategy, emphasising innovative approaches to thinking, action and goal-setting beyond conventional boundaries. By placing sustainability and humanity at the heart of its mission, USM seeks to contribute to the long-term well-being of the planet and future generations. This embodies the essence of APEX at USM.