Curtin Malaysia’s comprehensive Learning and Teaching support empowering students

Academic Skills Advisors (R-L) Mary Jenny Lim, Prof Tang Fu Ee, Dr Roselind Wan

Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) stands as a beacon of academic excellence, ensuring students are equipped with the tools and guidance they need to succeed, and preparing graduates who are well-equipped to meet the demands of the modern workforce. The university’s quest for excellence is mirrored in its exceptional faculty, which includes not just field experts but also inspiring mentors who drive students to surpass their limits and achieve greatness.

Curtin Malaysia’s esteemed reputation is the fruit of a progressive curriculum meticulously aligned with industry demands and anticipating the skills of tomorrow. In alignment with the Curtin blueprint of a strong emphasis on authentic learning, Curtin Malaysia strives for unique partnerships with industry experts, infusing every aspect of learning – from lectures to projects and research – with practical, real-world insights.

What truly elevates Curtin Malaysia, however, is its commitment to fostering academic excellence, which is reflected in its extensive Learning and Teaching (L&T) support initiatives. These initiatives not only enhance individual student outcomes but also elevate the university’s reputation as a leader in education.

As Curtin Malaysia’s Dean of Learning and Teaching Professor Tang Fu Ee puts it, the path to excellence is a journey shared. “We offer a spectrum of support mechanisms, ensuring that every student receives the guidance and encouragement they need to thrive. This support includes personalised academic mentoring provided by our Office of Learning and Teaching’s Academic Skills Advisors, the collaborative spirit fostered by peer-to-peer support programmes, and various faculty Learning and Teaching support programmes,” he remarked.

Academic Skills Advisors

The Office of Learning and Teaching provides comprehensive support to students across faculties and schools through its Academic Skills Advisors. Specialised assistance is offered in English and Mathematics, including walk-in modules and one-on-one consultations.

Dr. Roselind Wan, with her expertise in teaching English, leads the English language support. Her consultations and Language Support Modules (LSM) are particularly beneficial for students struggling with language and writing. These sessions offer personalised attention, allowing students to learn from each other and receive tailored guidance.

She focuses on building rapport, understanding individual needs, and encouraging autonomy in learning. She also guides students through scaffolding techniques, helping them recognise, understand, and solve their language challenges with practical examples.

The LSM sessions are designed to enhance academic writing skills, covering essentials like paraphrasing, summarising, cohesion, coherence, tone, and referencing. These interactive sessions combine theory with practical exercises, enabling students to improve their academic texts. Students can apply what they learn directly to their coursework, making the LSMs highly relevant and effective.

Students have praised both the consultations and LSM workshops for their usefulness and insightfulness, demonstrating the value of Curtin Malaysia’s academic support services. Despite encountering hurdles in concentration and paraphrasing, student Eylin Chia’s academic path brightened when she connected with the L&T support programme.

Chia revealed that after consulting, she discovered that her issue was not focusing on her main point and not knowing how to paraphrase, pinpointing the moment she identified the core of her challenges. She extended her thanks to Dr. Roselind for offering invaluable advice and clarity.

Mary Jenny Lim, with a background in Chemical Engineering, serves as the Academic Skills Advisor for STEM. She specialises in helping students build a strong foundation in mathematical concepts, focusing on differentiation and integration. Through personalised one-to-one consultations, she addresses students’ specific questions and clarifies doubts, offering tailored guidance to improve their understanding. Her support in Mathematics and Calculus aims to equip students with effective techniques and boost their confidence in their mathematical abilities, providing a supportive environment that adapts to each student’s learning pace.

During consultations, Lim starts by identifying areas of difficulty and understanding the student’s learning objectives. She then collaborates with the student to enhance problem-solving techniques and reinforce concepts through exercises, fostering critical thinking and a deeper understanding of mathematics.

The ‘BE MATHS READY’ modules use a variety of learning activities to suit different learning styles, including interactive discussions, hands-on exercises, concept mapping, and real-world applications of mathematics. These activities aim to improve students’ retention and mastery of the material, encouraging a deeper appreciation of mathematics.

Adelina Wan, an undergraduate student in Mechanical Engineering, praised the support programme as an outstanding resource for students needing extra help to grasp complex material. “The one-on-one sessions might seem intimidating at first, but you quickly get accustomed to them,” she shared.

For Adelina, now in her second year, the programme is not only academically beneficial but also pushes students out of their comfort zones, especially those too shy to approach their lecturers for help. She said Lim has been instrumental in clarifying subject-related issues. “She simplifies complex problems and approaches her students with immense patience and positivity,” Adelina noted.

Dr Roselind Wan in action, counselling a student

Peer-to-Peer Support Programme (P2P)

Curtin Malaysia’s P2P support programme is designed to provide academic assistance to students facing challenges in their studies. It adopts a student-centred, collaborative learning approach, with sessions led by trained student facilitators who address and discuss course materials in a non-hierarchical, supportive environment. These facilitators are top senior students selected for their ability to work closely with academic staff.

This programme targets courses known for their difficulty, aiming to be inclusive and voluntary. It encourages students of varying abilities to work together towards improvement, maximising individual success potential. Participants develop valuable life skills such as sharing, communicating, and critical thinking, which are beneficial for their personal lives and careers. The popularity of the P2P programme has led the Office of Learning and Teaching to expand its offerings, ensuring a wide range of support for all students.

Rebecca Shim Sheue Ke, a Diploma of Business student and a P2P student facilitator, embodies this spirit. She simplifies complex topics, making them accessible to her peers. “I offer them many techniques to help them recall key details, which are also very helpful when answering questions. Moreover, I share my personal experience on which part of the topic I used to find challenging and how I overcame it,” she said.

With a toolkit of memory techniques and personal anecdotes, Shim bridges the gap between confusion and comprehension, turning her struggles into beacons of guidance for others. Her goal is clear: to make learning efficient and effective for her fellow students.

Another P2P facilitator, Gigi Hii Shu Qi, said she is at the forefront of empowering students to excel. The Bachelor of Computing student believes the programme is more than just academic support. “Through the P2P programme, students have access to a supportive community where they can seek advice, share resources, and celebrate academic achievements together. Whether it’s deciphering complex coursework, preparing for exams, or navigating academic challenges, the P2P programme has served as a cornerstone in fostering an environment of academic excellence and peer support,” she commented.

The impact of the programme is evident in the experiences of students like Ngui Yi Ni, a Bachelor of Commerce student. For her, the sessions have been a game-changer, enhancing her understanding of lectures and preparing her for exams. “The notes the facilitator prepared were very simple and easy to understand; they helped me a lot with my exam. After attending the P2P sessions, I can easily answer all the quizzes the lecturer gives,” she said.

P2P Facilitators (L-R) Moke Jia Yan, Rebecca Shim, Gigi Hii, and Wong Wei Hao

L&T Support from Faculties

Curtin Malaysia’s faculties offer a range of L&T support mechanisms to assist students, including:

• Clinics: Informal learning sessions led by academic staff designed to support students in a relaxed environment outside the classroom. These sessions allow students to ask questions and clarify their understanding of course material.
• Consultations: Academic staff provide a minimum of six hours of consultation time per week, allowing students to discuss their work, clarify doubts, or seek advice on academic matters.
• Progress Monitoring: Faculties closely monitor students’ progress, especially those on academic probation or conditional status. Interviews are conducted to understand the reasons behind their performance, followed by the provision of appropriate support.
• Referrals: Students in need of additional support may be referred to Academic Skills Advisors or, in cases of personal or non-academic challenges, to Curtin Malaysia’s qualified counsellors.
• Career Skills Support: Some faculties, like the Faculty of Business, offer free career management and employability skills support to prepare students for their future careers.

Curtin Malaysia Student Learning Awards

The Office of Learning and Teaching has introduced the inaugural Curtin Malaysia Student Learning Awards for 2023. The awards are more than just a celebration of academic success – they are a tribute to the resilience, hard work, and collaborative spirit of students and educators alike. It is a beacon of inspiration, encouraging all to strive for excellence and recognise the power of dedication and support in achieving remarkable outcomes.

The awardees, hailing from diverse programmes and years of study, have shown a phenomenal transformation, elevating their academic status from ‘conditional’ to ‘good standing’ in 2022 and 2023. Their journey to success, marked by consistent class attendance, impressive assessments, collaborative group and project work, and meaningful staff mentorship, has been recognised through these prestigious awards.

These exceptional students have demonstrated a steadfast commitment to turning their academic endeavours around, showcasing an unyielding focus and dedication. The awards are a testament to their countless hours of study, active engagement with peers and lecturers, and an indomitable spirit to excel. Moreover, the awards also honour the invaluable contributions of the academics who have mentored and supported these students.

Pui Yii Shuen, a Bachelor of Engineering in Civil and Construction Engineering student, expressed that receiving the Student Learning Award was not only a profound honour but also a recognition of the student’s hard work, commitment to success, and the significant time and effort their lecturers invested in supporting them.

A lecturer from the Faculty of Business, Yip Ka Yii, meanwhile, stressed the importance of instilling the right learning attitude in students, highlighting the dual role of educators in supporting academic achievement and fostering a positive learning mindset.

As it celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, Curtin Malaysia will continue to exemplify the pinnacle of academic support, where the journey towards excellence is shared and nurtured through comprehensive L&T mechanisms. With a steadfast commitment to student success, the university will continue to provide personalised academic mentoring, peer-to-peer support, and targeted faculty initiatives. These efforts, complemented by the dedicated Academic Skills Advisors and robust support programmes, will ensure that every student can thrive academically and personally.

The collaborative spirit fostered at Curtin Malaysia not only equips students with the skills needed for their future careers but also instills a lifelong passion for learning and achievement. This holistic approach to education underscores Curtin Malaysia’s role as a leader in producing graduates who are not only industry-ready but also inspired to make meaningful contributions to society.