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Corporate Information

USM Profile

Background of Institution


Established as the second university in the country in 1969, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) was first known as Universiti Pulau Pinang. In 1971, USM moved from its temporary premises at the Malayan Teachers’ Training College, Bukit Gelugor to the present 416.6 hectare site at Minden, approximately 9.7 km from Georgetown. USM offers courses ranging from Natural Sciences, Applied Sciences, Medical and Health Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences to Building Science and Technology, Social Sciences, Humanities, and Education. These are available at undergraduate and postgraduate levels to approximately 30,000 students at its 17 Academic Schools on the main campus in the island of Penang; 6 Schools at the Engineering Campus in Nibong Tebal (approximately 50km from the main campus); and 3 at the Health Campus in Kubang Kerian, Kelantan (approximately 300km from the main campus). USM also has 17 dedicated research centres for a wide range of specialisations which include archaeology, medicine and dentistry, molecular medicine, science and technology, Islamic development and management studies, and policy research and international studies. It also provides consultancy, testing, and advisory services to the industry under the ambit of USAINS Holdings Sdn Bhd, the University’s commercial arm. Since the beginning, USM has adopted the School system rather than the traditional Faculty system to ensure that its students are multi-disciplined from their exposure to other areas of study by other Schools. It also encourages students to be active in extra-curricular activities given the myriad of clubs and societies available. As a Research Intensive University recognised by the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia (MOHE) in 2007, USM offers educational and research opportunities to students and staff. In 2008, USM also became the first university in the country to be selected by the Malaysian government to participate in the Accelerated Programme for Excellence (APEX), a fast-track programme that helps tertiary institutions achieve world-class status. Program Outline USM offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes that are conducted by the following Schools: Academic Facilities & Resources The facilities that USM provides for its students are delineated below: An impressive Museum filled with world-class displays & a state-of-the-art 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 Anoutstanding research library of over one million items and an extensive network of electronic databases and internet access. Students’ residences that accommodate their stay on campus. Sport Centre that is equipped with indoor and outdoor facilities that caters to students’ sporting events and games. Warm and cozy cafeterias, as well as well-designed pavilions


Students Support Services & Students Development Activities

USM provides various services for its students such as hostel accommodation, counseling / 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/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 Counseling 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 commercialization of research results.

Main Campus

  • School of the Arts
  • School of Biological Sciences
  • School of Communication
  • School of Chemical Sciences
  • School of Computer Sciences
  • School of Distance Education
  • School of Educational Studies
  • School of Housing, Building and Planning
  • School of Humanities
  • School of Industrial Technology
  • School of Management
  • School of Mathematical Sciences
  • School of Pharmaceutical Sciences
  • School of Physics
  • School of Social Sciences
  • School of Language, Literacies and Translation
  • Institute of Postgraduates Studies
  • Graduate School of Business (GSB)

Service Centres

  • Centre for Instructional Technology and Multimedia
  • Centre for Knowledge, Communication & Technology
  • Cultural Centre
  • Hamdan Tahir Library
  • Hamzah Sendut Library
  • Islamic Centre
  • Museum & Gallery Tuanku Fauziah
  • USM Press
  • Technical Facilities Centre
  • Centre for Language and Translation

Engineering Campus

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

Units

  • Astronomy and Atmospheric Science Research Unit
  • Basic Education Research Unit
  • Computer-Aided Translation Unit
  • Engineering Innovation and Technology Development Unit
  • Laboratory Animal Research Unit
  • Research and Education for Peace Unit
  • Student Development and Advisory Unit
  • Vector Control Research Unit

Health Campus

  • School of Dental Sciences
  • School of Health Sciences
  • School of Medical Sciences

Research Centres

  • Advanced Management Centre
  • Advanced Medical and Dental Institute
  • Biomedical and Health Sciences Research Platform
  • Centre for Archaeological Research Malaysia
  • Centre for Drug Research
  • Centre for Education, Training and Research in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
  • Centre for International Studies
  • Centre for Islamic Development Management Studies
  • Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies
  • Centre for Policy Research & International Studies
  • Collaborative Microelectronic Design Excellence Centre
  • Doping Control Centre
  • Engineering and Technology Research Platform
  • Fundamental Sciences Platform
  • Human Genome Centre
  • Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine
  • Malaysia Institute of Pharmaceuticals and Nutraceuticals
  • National Advanced IPv6 Centre (NAv6)
  • National Higher Education Research Institute
  • National Poison Centre
  • Platform for Clinical Sciences Research
  • Platform for Information and Communication Technology Research
  • Platform for Life Sciences Research
  • Platform for Social Transformation Drainage Research Centre
  • River Engineering and Urban Drainage Research Centre
  • Women’s Development Research Centre

Mission & Vision

Vision : "Transforming Higher Education for a Sustainable Tomorrow"

Mission : USM is a pioneering, transdisciplinary research intensive university that empowers future talents and enables the bottom billions to transform their socio-economic well-being.

Value : Quality, Equality, Availability, Accessibility, Affordability, Appropriateness

Thrust : Knowledge, The Future, Uniqueness, Sustainability, Humanity, Universality, Change, Sacrifice, Wellness

Mission & Vision

Pillar of USM

Clients Charter

We are committed to achieving the mission and vision of USM through :

  • Empowering students with the values and characteristics that are accepted in local & global markets.
  • Empowering students to enhance future leadership talents to build a human capital that is holistic and sensitive to social issues and global changes in the process of nation building.
  • Empowering researchers to improve the research & innovation that are recognised and make an impact on society and the survival of a sustainable world.
  • Strengthening academic excellence through continuous professional development and keeping abreast with technology.
  • Educating and strengthening efforts to realise the sustainability agenda of the University.
  • Strengthening University collaborations in various local & global strategic networks.
  • Strengthening the governance of the University through the improvement of quality & continuous professional development.
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