AN EXPEREINCE OF A LIFETIME

Azahari, Mujahid, Sharin, Roni and I who had been selected for the Global Executive Workshop under the Visiting International Professional Program (VIPP) in Michigan State University, USA from 11 to 29 June left Alor Setar on a warm sunny afternoon of 10 June 2012. We met up with 13 other administrators from other Universities at the KLIA and after the initial round of exciting meet and greet, we boarded Flight .on KLM to Lansing, Michigan, via Amsterdam and Detroit. The flight seemed to last forever but fortunately, suitcases and all arrived safely in Lansing on 11 June at about 5 pm where we were greeted by Mr. Sung Soo Chung, the VIPP coordinator from MSU. A short ride from the Airport brought us to MSU. It was a bright summer evening and we caught a first clear glance of an enormously huge University that was to be our home for the next three weeks. The next few hours were spent getting our apartment keys, checking in, and rushing off to the local store for our purchase of necessary supplies. A dinner at the Sultan Restaurant ended the day before all of us turned in, completely tired and jet lagged but in anxious anticipation of what awaited us in the three weeks to come. For the next four days of the first week, we went through the welcome orientation, which included our procuring the MSU affiliate ID card. We learnt about student residence life before we were taken on a tour of the sports facility and the library including registering for the msu email. A series of lectures ensued over the next two days. We learnt that MSU covered an area size of over 5000 acres and was a land grant public university in Michigan. Ranking among the top 100 Universities in the USA, especially in the field of nuclear physics, education and osteopathic medicine, MSU has a student population of 47,000 and a total staff population exceeding 11,000. This does not include the 18,000 students who work on a part-time basis, earning some money to help pay for their tuition and daily expenses. The weekend saw us heading towards Chicago. Arranged by the Malaysian Students Organization (MSO) in MSU, we enjoyed the magnificent architectural design of Chicago before ending up in the beautiful home of Dr. Roslan Jamaluddin, UUMs own faculty who is the Education Malaysia Director in Chicago. A sumptuous lunch ensued and we left, but not before celebrating all the fathers in the group with high tea and cakebeing the 17 of June and Fathers Day. The second week continued to astound us and we were completely mind boggled when we were taken to the Cyclotron, a nuclear facility. We also learnt about the long history of US Education and how it is today. We were given an insight into the student career services division and a lecture into the new concept of osteopathic medicine, which MSU is a pioneer in. We visited the Michigan Historical Museum in the evening and that was an enlightening

experience as well. We learnt about student financial aid process, visited both the international office and office of student affairs as well as of the Registrar. The weekend ended with a trip to Detroit where we learnt of the slump and devastation that hit Detroit during the Financial Crisis. The General Motors Building and the show cars on display had all of us spell bound. We are now into the third week and have learnt about MSUs student recruitment policies and strategies as well as their study abroad program. We learnt about the tenure system for faculty and how faculty have to prove their mettle before they can be offered tenure and even that is reviewed vigorously on an annual basis. Research is a core business of MSU and all the professors and associates we met exemplified a passion for teaching, for learning and research. We were taken on a tour of the State Capitol in Lansing, where the Senators and Congressmen for Michigan State meet. Being a heritage building, the State Capitol was truly an architectural marvel to behold. Before our graduation ceremony on Friday, we will visit the Honors College, the Patents Office and the Operations and Planning Office. All of us have been observing and learning new things beyond the classroom. Something that strikes out is the cleanliness and stellar maintenance of all facilities and resources. All facilities function well, most of them at the swipe of a finger. Students are provided everything they need to learn and excel. MSU has a rigorous campaign of recycling and the Spartan spirit is imbued in all students and staff, where being part of the MSU is something that is cherished and valued. The strategic plan is based on the concept of Being Bold by Design. Sporting, recreational and cultural activities as well as an active student engagement program in the community keep the students busy and involved. (To be continued)