TUANKU SYED SIRAJUDDIN ENGINEERING CAMPUS STRENGTHENS ROLE AS NATIONAL ENGINEERING AND SEMICONDUCTOR HUB

NIBONG TEBAL, 30 January 2026 - Syed Sirajuddin Engineering Campus Universiti Sains Malaysia’s (USM) Tuanku continues to strengthen its position as a key driver of national engineering and technological development through a series of strategic initiatives announced during the Vice-Chancellor’s Address 2026 held today.

USM Vice-Chancellor Professor Dato’ Seri Ir Dr Abdul Rahman Mohamed said the university is charting a bold and forward-looking direction as a global impact-oriented institution, in line with its strategic agenda for 2026.

In his address, he emphasised that the Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Engineering Campus plays a pivotal role in supporting national aspirations through the development of highly skilled talent, stronger industry collaboration and the enhancement of a robust research ecosystem.

Among the major highlights was the implementation of the ATMP Micro-USM Semiconductor Curriculum, the first of its kind offered by a Malaysian higher education institution, aligned with industry needs and the National Semiconductor Strategy.

“In strengthening the future of higher education, USM has also integrated artificial intelligence (AI) into teaching and learning, with more than 80 per cent of academic programmes now incorporating AI elements. The university is targeting full integration across all programmes by 2026,” he said.

The campus also continues to lead in flexible education, lifelong learning initiatives and industry-driven academic programmes, aimed at producing graduates who are competitive and future-ready in an increasingly globalised landscape.

From an infrastructure and well-being perspective, the Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Engineering Campus has benefited significantly from development allocations under the 12th and 13th Malaysia Plans, covering upgrades to learning facilities, digital infrastructure, and high-impact physical development projects.

“Emphasis has also been placed on campus sustainability, expanded Wi-Fi coverage and the implementation of green practices, in line with USM’s commitment to the global sustainability agenda,” he added.

The renaming of the campus as Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Engineering Campus marks a new phase in USM’s development journey, reinforcing its role as a national hub for engineering excellence, semiconductor development and the cultivation of high-impact human capital.

At the same event, the Vice-Chancellor also officiated the launch of a book titled Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Universiti Sains Malaysia Engineering Campus & Its Avifauna, which documents the rich bird biodiversity found within the campus grounds.

The publication is a collaborative effort by Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Remy Rozainy Mohd Arif Zainol from the School of Civil Engineering, Mohd Abdul Muin Md Akil from the Centre for Global Sustainability Studies (CGSS), and Syafiq Shaharuddin from the River Engineering and Urban Drainage Research Centre (REDAC).

The book highlights the balance between physical development and environmental conservation achieved over nearly 25 years of campus development.

The publication also aligns with the campus’ recognition as a UNESCO Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP) Global Network of Ecohydrology Demonstration Site, further strengthening its role as a living laboratory, educational reference centre and symbol of USM’s commitment to environmental sustainability.

In concluding his address, the Vice-Chancellor stressed that USM’s excellence should not be measured solely by rankings, but by its real impact on society, the nation, and the global community, in line with the university’s aspiration to be a driver of knowledge and sustainable development.

Text: Siti Faizah Abd Halim / Photo: Muhammad Taufik Abdul Rahman