Message The Vice-Chancellor, USM

Being an APEX university, USM strives to be a relevant and caring university. One of the agenda has been providing lifelong services for people with disabilities, a programme under the Division of Industry and Community Network.

We have many experts in USM who are committed to doing research and getting involved in projects to find solutions to challenges faced by people with disabilities. USM’s faculty staff has completed projects ranging from a feasibility study on the Ministry of Education taking over the education of SEN students in Malaysia (2003-2004) to an evaluation of the effectiveness of the integration-inclusion programme in Malaysia. These have provided the experience and resources to advance the agenda for the development of a holistic inclusive education programme. Congratulations to Prof Dato' Dr See Ching Mey and her team for moving to another level of work in this area.

We are very pleased with the award of the grant that will take special needs students to the next level of inclusion. USM’s intention is to make use of our embedded culture of excellence to provide for a comprehensive and holistic inclusion of SEN students into the mainstream. This will be achieved within the context of a “connected” ecosphere, through engagement and organisational commitment, instituting mechanisms which attach a premium on the growth and enhancement of human capital with the consequential positive impact to society, the nation and ultimately the world.

Inclusion involves providing SEN students with the means to become part of the community of learning and allowing them to grow and participate in the society like everyone else. USM believes that inclusion provides an avenue for the acceptance of human diversity. The engagement of everyone in this harmonisation of the needs of SEN students with the educational system shall demonstrate that in Malaysia, “Education for All” is practised.

As an APEX university advocating for sustainable thinking and action to secure our community’s common welfare and future, we give importance to faithful collaboration with all our resources to facilitate and generate effective and efficient delivery in the management of the project. USM acknowledges the huge expectations of the community and nation and is also conscious of the trust bestowed by the Ministry of Education that will meet our obligations. We have designed and crafted the necessary strategies to accomplish the tasks ahead. As “We Lead”, so too will we deliver.

Professor Dato’ Dr Omar Osman