A trans-diciplinary team of some 30 researchers drawn from the School of Educational

Studies, School of Social Sciences, School of Management and the Graduate School of
Business, and the School of Humanities were brought together to carry out research
aimed at ascertaining the experiences of the campus community of USM in going
through the Accelerated Programme for Excellence (APEX).

Formal meetings as well as informal discussions were underway regarding this research
project since November 2008. Professor Morshidi Sirat, dean of the Social
Transformation Platform and Director of the National Higher Education Research
Institute was instrumental in identifying and bringing together several key researchers.
Following several sessions of discussions four clusters of areas of interest were identified
and created, namely historical documentation (Dr Ratna Roshida Abd Razak); human
resources, governance, service quality and performance (Dr Noor Hazlina Ahmad);
expectations and aspirations(Dr Premalatha Karupiah); and, bio-psychological aspect
(Prof Susie See Ching Mey). The entire research project was headed by Prof Ooi Keat
Gin, Coordinator of the Asia-Pacific Research Unit (APRU), School of Humanities.
Owing to infrastructure and other logistical support, the project given the name AURA is
currently positioned at IPPTN.(need changes)

On 23 January 2009, Professor Ooi together with his colleagues presented the AURA
Project to Tan Sri Dato’ Dzulkifli Abdul, vice-chancellor of USM, Professor Asma,
deputy vice-chansellor (research and innovation), Professor Lim, deputy vice-chansellor
(industry work), and the senior university officers. Professor Morshidi Sirat was also
present during the presentation. Following the approval principle, Professor Ooi and his
team commenced the groundwork to undertake the research.

HISTORICAL The main objective is the recording of the chronological development of

USM’s APEX experience covering the significant milestones prior to, during the
transformation process, and the period thereafter (post-APEX).

GOVERNANCE: The main objective is to document the changes and development of

the USM’s APEX experience in respect to its human resources, governance, service
quality, as well as performance which encapsulate the readiness and experience of USM
community prior to, during the transformation process, and the period thereafter (post-
APEX)

UNDERSTAND, EXPECT, ASPIRE-The main objective is to identify the changes in

the understanding, expectation and aspiration of the USM community as we go
through APEX.

BIO-PSYCHOSOCIAL This research monitors the bio-psychosocial changes of the

individuals from the USM community aimed at ascertaining the short- and long-term
impact of the transformation process on the individual working in APEX university.

The outcomes (positive or otherwise) in bio-psychosocial changes in USM’s human

capital are assess and analyze in order that timely and strategic interventions are
proposed to arrest unfavourable or even harmful impacts on the individual.