Reaching Out...Making THE Difference

The coffee table book “Reaching Out...Making THE Difference” was launched by Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Minister Of Higher Education, Malaysia on October 4, 2010. The compilation is the first attempt of the Division of Industry and Community Network, USM at documenting the University’s commitment to community empowerment over the years. The book’s title emphasises the word THE, because, as an APEX university, USM has unambiguously embraced the principle of engagement as a core value. This compilation is a testimony of USM’s commitment to fulfil the University’s social responsibility that goes beyond its core mission of human resource development.

The book features summaries of past and present community projects conducted at different levels i.e. service, outreach and engaged. Seventy projects categorised into four groups (empowerment, health, education and conservation) are presented, approximately half of which were funded by the Division of Industry and Community Network. The rest were funded by other Schools/Centres/Departments of USM and/or in collaborations with local private and public as well as international organisations.