Recent social and egalitarian movements, and more so an increasing dependence on the public purse for their operations, are now compelling universities to display a stronger commitment to the welfare and transformation of the society they exist in. While teaching and research remained the core mission, universities are now expected to harness their resources, both human and physical, for mutual beneficial relationships with their communities by addressing their issues and needs, and providing solutions toward transformation. Furthermore this engagement, if effective and sustainable, benefits everyone.
The Division of Industry and Community Network Division (DICN) in Universiti Sains Malaysia was formed in 2007. Prof. Emeritus Lim Koon Ong was appointed the first Deputy Vice-Chancellor and he has led the Division to its present level of success. In a short period of time, DICN has developed and strengthened its networking and partnership with the industries and communities.
Prof. See Ching Mey was appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the Division of Industry and Community Network (DICN) for three years starting in February 2011, to replace Prof. Emeritus Lim Koon Ong who retired from the university.
Prof. See expects to continue the efforts and work that have been put in place to ensure continuity and effective impact. The efforts and initiatives to expand the industry/community engagement at the state, national, regional and international levels are in line with the Strategic Enhancement Plan for Industry/Community Collaboration of the Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia. Recognition and rewards are given to academicians who contribute actively to industry/community engagement via the third track promotion and DICN has a very active role through the provision of opportunities for them.
As an APEX (Accelerated Programme for Excellence) university, USM itself has committed its DICN to embrace such engagements, especially if beneficial to the “bottom billions”, as a core value. Resources and funds are set aside for community-engagement projects that are different from the usual research and development activities. Schools, centres and indeed any committed groups from within the university itself are encouraged to initiate and undertake these community-engagement projects in a spirit of volunteerism. Industries are made aware of these efforts and may choose to collaborate in ensuring the projects' success and sustainability while fulfilling their corporate social responsibilities. On a broader plain, DICN also partners with government agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to foster the same goal of responding to issues and needs in the community.
One of the efforts to promote and increase university-community engagement among the universities in Malaysia and Asia Pacific, is the formation of the Asia-Pacific University-Community Engagement Network (APUCEN), a network of universities which are interested in working together to embark on national and regional community engagement projects and activities.
Engagement with industry is manifestly two-fold. USM already has extensive networks with industries for the purposes of research, consultancy, student internship, and staff placement. As mentioned earlier, companies are now expected to engage with the community by fostering programmes and activities devoted to corporate social responsibilities. Thus, a rational, quite effective and sustainable approach would be to bring together the university, industry and the community into a tripartite partnership with a spirit of volunteerism as the first act in the transformation of society.
The 10th Malaysia Plan and the New Economic Model (NEM) propose an innovation-led economic development for our nation. Universities can participate by unlocking their bank of intellectual property assets which they have acquired through research and development. Although USM has several established avenues for university-industry exploitation of our intellectual property assets nevertheless DICN can contribute as an additional portal or stepping stone to the university's divisions, schools, centres of excellence, and commercialisation agents such as the Innovation Office of the Division of Research & Innovation or the USM's companies, Sanggar Sains Sdn. Bhd. and Usains Holding Sdn. Bhd.
The aim of DICN is to develop an eco-system of sustainable collaboration between USM and industry/community that benefits all parties. Ideas, efforts and contributions to ensure the success of the university and its industry/community collaboration are encouraged.