USM

Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has been trying its best to surge ahead.

Somehow, this afternoon, when I was chatting with a friend, she is doing research in USM, before embarking on her PhD at Monash University, Australia. And what she described to me on USM is definitely very positive. She spoke on the high-tech equipments that she had on her lab, and the quality is definitely top notch. She used to study undergraduate in one of the top universities in U.S.

She also commented on USM has been sending a number of its top students for PhD programs in top universities in US and UK. Among those that she knew went to universities like Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial College. That's definitely a good start. Hope that USM can continue on its momentum.

Just as I was looking through The Star. Saw that USM took a great step ahead in being environmental friendly. USM banned styrofoam from its campus. Food operators would use biodegradable containers, which would cost 20 cents each, rather than 3-4 cents each for styrofoam box.

Prof Datuk Dzulkifli Abdul Razak said that this is part of its "The White Coffin" signature campaign to get USM staff and students to pledge their commitment to support sustainable initiatives to reduce adverse impact on environment.

Prof Datuk Dzulkifli, who is a columnist in New Straits Times also commented on a recent visit by 25 students from Taiwan. Those students brought their own foldable container, as well as reusable chopsticks. That's definitely a catalyst of change.