Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)

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.

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.