In light of the worsening flood situation, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has activated its Flood Operations Room at its main campus in Penang.

In a statement released today, its Student Affairs and Development Division (BHEPP) said, the move was taken to assist affected students who are due to sit for exams next week.

Among others, the university will provide an action plan to for the students and also counselling services.

“A schedule to assist in the movement of students has already been prepared and it will begin tomorrow morning involving all affected areas. All the students need to do is contact the USM office,” said BHEPP Deputy Registrar Husin Yahaya.

The Operations Room will be operational for 24 hours beginning tomorrow and can be reached at 04-653 6137 while the HEPP Operations Room in Kelantan can be reached at 09-767 1305 and 09-767 1300.

Efforts are also being made to coordinate the Student Volunteer Corps and staff members who want to take part in any rescue mission.

USM Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Omar Osman said, the university views the current flood situation as serious especially when its students are set to sit for semester exams next week.

“We will mobilise whatever resources we have to help the students return to campus. We also need to pin point their exact location as soon as possible,” he said.


'Transferring of patients'

Efforts to assist flood victims are ongoing at the university’s campus in Kubang Kerian where those injured have been sent to the USM Hospital from affected hospitals around Kota Bharu. According to a report released early this morning, some 32 patients have been transferred to the USM Hospital after Kota Bharu had been inundated with flood waters.

Meanwhile, the USM Student Volunteer Corps team together with volunteers from other Public Higher Educational Institutions (IPTA) will be stationed at seven flood relief centres in Tumpat district, Kelantan from Dec 26 to 28. More members will be despatched to Gua Musang on Dec 31.

USM Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic and International), Professor Datuk Dr Ahmad Shukri Mustafa Kamal has urged the students to remain calm in the face of the worsening flood situation. He also advised them to focus on their studies for the forthcoming exams.

“Although we already have the mechanisms in place, as in the past, to enable the students to take their exams, we urge all students, even if they are not badly affected, to return to campus and USM will assist them as best possible for the exams,” Shukri said.

USM Student Representative Council President, Mohd Shafiq Kamaruddin said, they will also assist BHEPP manage the 24 hour Flood Operations Room.

“We have received numerous queries and information on students who have been stranded due to the floods and we will work together with BHEPP to assist these students,” Shafiq said.