IC/Passport Number - School of Humanities, USM

There are a variety of mentor-mentee programmes. Mentor-mentee programmes
are conducted either in formal or informal contexts. Irrespective of context, the
objectives of such programmes are similar.
Formal mentor-mentee programmes have an organised structure and are normally
conducted in well-structured and established organisations.
Formal mentor-mentee programmes have a specific objective as well as attainment
and evaluation procedures designed to measure the effectiveness of such
programmes. Each staff of the programme is required to attain a specific objective
within a stipulated period.
The main aim of such programmes is to enable a mentee (usually a new and
inexperienced employee) to obtain correct and effective guidance regarding the
mission and objectives of the organisation in order to enhance work quality within
the organisation and to bolster its image. Mentees receiving guidance in such
programmes are normally able to uphold organisational objectives in order to
safeguard quality.
In contrast, informal mentor-mentee programmes do not require rigid
organisational structures to operate in as they are merely designed to facilitate
colleagues to receive the requisite advice and guidance and do not have
predetermined targets.
4. The Need for a Mentor-Mentee System in USM
Efforts to introduce a mentor-mentee program for USM staff and students were
initiated by Y. Bhg. Profesor Tan Sri Dato’ Dzulkifli Abdul Razak, the USM Vice
Chancellor. These efforts were motivated by the realisation that there was a high
prevalence of psychosocial problems afflicting the campus citizenry particularly
its staff and undergraduates. Besides this, the affected staff and students had,
hitherto, no specific channels through which they could seek assistance to alleviate
or resolve their problems. Despite the existence of a counselling service in USM,
many were reluctant to use the aforementioned service as they feared being
labelled as "problematic" individuals. It is hoped that this informal mentor-mentee
system will attract more staff to seek guidance from familiar individuals or those
who are easily accessible.
5. Selection and Role of Mentors
The mentor-mentee programme has its own committee. The selection of mentors is
open to any USM staff who is genuinely interested in rendering assistance. The
programme encourages each department or school to nominate a staff to serve as a
mentor. These representatives can serve as mentors to their workplace colleagues.
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