GEORGE TOWN: Universiti Sains Malaysia is in the best position to transform Penang into a knowledge hub following its selection as the country's first Apex university, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said.

This would further boost the state's appeal internationally as well as improve the lives of the people here, he added.

He also said it was important for the university to play a bigger role in the lives of the wider Penang community, especially in enhancing its ties with industries, so as to propel Malaysia to the next level in all fields.

This was one of the key linchpins to realise the state's vision to transform Penang into an international city as the location of choice for investors, destination of choice for tourists and habitat of choice for residents desiring sustainable living, he said.

"We look forward to greater collaboration and cooperation with USM... this decision is a massive boost for USM in particular and Penang in general.
"We want to congratulate USM for being chosen as the sole Apex university," he said yesterday.

On Wednesday, Higher Education Minister Datuk Mohamed Khaled Nordin announced that USM has been chosen as the country's first Apex university.

Lim said USM's challenge now was to fulfil expectations by becoming one of the best universities to be ranked in the top 200 ratings such as the Times Higher Education Supplements (THES) ranking in five years and make it to the top 100 by 2020.

In the latest THES ranking, USM is listed in 307th place while UM is the highest ranked local university at 246th place.