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Founded in 1969, the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) ¨C the second university to be established in the country ¨C is one of Malaysia¡¯s leading science universities. With a total of 30,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students, it is also one of the country¡¯s largest.

Courses at USM are offered in a number of scientific disciplines, including natural sciences, medical sciences, and building sciences and technology, along with courses in arts, humanities and education.

Alongside the university¡¯s three academic campuses, it also has 17 research centres dedicated to a range of specialisations, including archaeology, policy research and international studies.

USM rejects the traditional university faculty system, opting instead for a ¡®school¡¯ system supported by a large array of extracurricular activities, which they believe offers students a more interdisciplinary and well-rounded experience, producing graduates that are multi-skilled.

The university also advocates accessible education for all and, in 1971, introduced a School of Distance Learning for those in full time employment, offering bachelor programmes in Arts, Science, Social Science and Management.

Other programmes aimed at widening participation include its ¡®Bottom 40% Households¡¯ initiative which supports economically disadvantaged students to access higher education.

Student wellbeing is central to the university¡¯s policies, and services provided for students include counselling and motivational guidance. Most of USM¡¯s students opt to stay in the university¡¯s student village, which provides halls of residence, or ¡®hostels¡¯ as they are commonly referred to in Malaysia, as well as a cultural hall and sports facilities with an Olympic-sized swimming pool.

Other university facilities include a museum, a fine art gallery, a bookshop and a number of pavilions.

USM¡¯s main campus is located on Penang Island with another two branch campuses in Kelantan and Nibong Tebal.