Cluster Head  : Dr. Che Supian Mohamad Nor

Committee members      :  (1) Dr. Azlinda Azman – Co-Chairman
                                                (2) Prof. Madya Phua Kia Kien
                                                (3) Prof. Madya Nor’ Aini Yusof
                                                (4) Dr. Mohd Adi Firdaus Tan Abdullah
                                                (5) Dr. Tan Kok Eng
                                                (6) Dr. Aidiahmad Dewa
                                                (7) Tuan Syed Yusof Tuan Kechik
                                                (8) En. Wong Chow Jeng
                                                (9) Puan Azeeza Begam Habeeb Noohu
Secretary                               (10) Cik Lee Wei Yin  

INTRODUCTION

The UCE cluster champions initiatives, efforts, and activities that focus on establishing the university as a responsible, relevant and active partner of the community in addressing the needs of society, both at the national and international levels. The functions of the cluster are to initiate, monitor and facilitate USM’s community projects as well as encourage active university-community partnerships. The cluster also aims to establish a network of universities for future flagship university-community projects as well as to promote the concept of engagement. This network of universities has now been realised with the launching of the Asia-Pacific University-Community Network [APUCEN] on 13^th July 2011.

As the university seeks mutually beneficial relationships with communities to address communities’ issues and needs, the approach to engagement must be effective with high impact and must go beyond outreach and extension or service.  In tandem with the APEX agenda that focuses on outreach and engagement to transform and develop the world’s marginalised, commonly called the ‘Bottom Billion’, the Division of Industry & Community Network (BJIM) has taken proactive approaches in networking and partnering with industry and community with the aim to make the difference by being the agent that brings industry, government agencies and NGOs together to strengthen and empower communities.

1. To raise awareness and understanding on community engagement.
2. To initiate, monitor and facilitate USM’s community projects.
3. To build capacities for university-community partnerships.
4. To promote an environment that is conducive for community engagement to take place and to flourish.
5. To promote methods, strategies and experiences of community engagement.
6. To disseminate and share experiences of good practices in community engagement.
7. To recognise, legitimise and promote scholarship of engagement.
8. To assist and support the projects and activities of APUCEN.