USM Chosen As Apex University Over UM

New Straits Times

By Regina Lee

PUTRAJAYA: Universiti Sains Malaysia has been chosen to be the country’s first Apex university.

The university was chosen based on its state of readiness, its transformation plan and preparedness for change.

USM scored an upset against the older and the higher ranked Universiti Malaya, as well as beating Universiti Kebangsaan and Universiti Putra Malaysia, which had also been shortlisted.

“It is not about the ranking. We are just choosing the most suitable one for the programme.“Apex is about the future. We are not talking about the position of the universities, but we are identifying one that can go leaps and bounds into excellence with government help,” said Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin here yesterday.

He added that USM’s transformation theme that could unify all its seven niche fields and its impressive Key Performance Index were among factors that convinced the ministry that it deserved the Apex status.

The university’s five-year budgetary plan will be taken into consideration, with the government making a decision in the 2010 Budget.

Bigwigs from the university will soon be called to discuss with the ministry a viable implementation plan for autonomy.The ministry also has another programme to develop centres of excellence within non-Apex universities.

New or emerging institutions will also be given focus.“Being an Apex university is a long and transformative journey which the institution will have to undertake on its own.

“Depending on USM’s performance, if it can stand on its own soon enough, then we can look into getting another university to be an Apex univer-sity.

“But I expect USM to be ranked in the top 200 in the ratings such as the Times Higher Education Supplements ranking in five years, and ma-ke it into the top 100 by 2020.”

In the latest THES ranking, USM is listed in 307th place, while UM is the highest ranked local university at 246th place.