Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is a public research university in Malaysia, recognized for its multidisciplinary approach and focus on sustainability.
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), established in 1969 as Universiti Pulau Pinang, is Malaysia's second oldest university and the only institution in the country with APEX (Accelerated Programme for Excellence) status [1, 5, 10].
Located primarily in Penang, USM embraces a unique school system rather than a traditional faculty structure, promoting multidisciplinary education for its over 39,000 students [7, 9].
The university is committed to transforming higher education for a sustainable future, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and innovation across a diverse range of academic fields [7, 9].
The idea for a university in Penang was first proposed in 1959, leading to the laying of the foundation stone in 1967 [1].
Universiti Sains Malaysia officially began operations on June 1, 1969, initially as the University of Penang, with a focus on science-based studies [1, 5].
In 1971, the university relocated to its current 239-hectare Minden site, a former British military barracks [1]. Over the years, USM expanded its offerings to include various non-science disciplines and established multiple branch campuses, including a health campus in Kelantan and an engineering campus in Nibong Tebal [1].
USM operates on a distinctive school system, encompassing a wide array of disciplines. Key areas include Applied Sciences with schools like Housing, Building and Planning, Industrial Technology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Computer Sciences [9].
Applied Arts comprise Schools of Educational Studies, Management, Communication, and Arts, alongside the Graduate School of Business and Schools of Languages, Literacies, and Translation, Humanities, and Social Sciences [9].
Pure Sciences are represented by Schools of Biological Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, and Physics [9]. Furthermore, the university features an Engineering Campus with schools dedicated to Electrical and Electronic, Materials and Mineral Resources, Aerospace, Chemical, Civil, and Mechanical Engineering, and a Health Campus offering Medical, Dental, and Allied Health Sciences programs [9].
[1] Universiti Sains Malaysia - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universiti_Sains_Malaysia
[2] Universiti Sains Malaysia. https://www.ulethbridge.ca/international/universiti-sains-malaysia
[3] Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang (Jalan Universiti, 11700 Gelugor, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia). https://www.google.com/maps/search/Universiti+Sains+Malaysia,+Penang
[4] Professor Dato' Seri Ir. Dr. Abdul Rahman Mohamed has been appointed as the ninth Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), effective from 3 January 2023. https://apucen.usm.my/index.php/en/download?download=13:apucen
[5] Established as the second university in the country in 1969, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) was first known as Universiti Pulau Pinang. https://icgced.usm.my/about
[6] USM in Numbers: Facts & Figures MyRA 2024 (Unaudited Data). Student Enrollment 39663, Academic Staff 1773. https://www.usm.my/en/
[7] With enrollment numbers exceeding more than 34,000, USM offers a rich blend of cultures, perspectives, and experiences. https://www.usm.my/en/admission
[8] 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. https://www.usm.my/en/my-usm/about/corporate-information
[9] Academic - Universiti Sains Malaysia. https://www.usm.my/en/connect/web-directories/academic
[10] Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is a public research university in Malaysia. https://www.epicn.org/stories/universiti-sains-malaysia/
[11] Universiti Sains Malaysia Official Website. https://www.usm.my/en/
[12] Universiti Sains Malaysia - Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/USMOfficial1969/
[13] Universiti Sains Malaysia (@usmofficial1969) - Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/usmofficial1969/
[14] USM Official (@USMOfficial1969) / X. https://x.com/usmofficial1969?lang=en
[15] Universiti Sains Malaysia Employees, Location, Alumni | LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/school/universiti-sains-malaysia-official/
[16] USMTV - YouTube (Official YouTube channel for Universiti Sains Malaysia). https://www.youtube.com/c/usmtv
Natural Sciences, Applied Sciences, Medical and Health Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Building Science and Technology, Social Sciences, Humanities, Education, Engineering, Computer Sciences, Communication, Management, Arts, Languages, Literacies, Translation, Biological Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Physics, Dental Sciences, Allied Health Sciences, Archaeology, Molecular Medicine, Islamic Development and Management Studies, Policy Research and International Studies
