Curtin Sarawak Open Day more than just fun and festivities

Miri – 2 October 2015 – The recent ninth Open Day of Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) on 26 September was more than just fun and festivities though there was certainly much of that, and the event drew a large number of visitors throughout the day.

By the official count by the organising committee, 9,321 visitors attended – the largest number ever recorded for the event.

The Future Students Booth and Innovation Expo proved to be the most popular attractions, fulfilling its objectives as a key event in the university’s annual calendar of student recruitment and brand-building.

Many potential students and their family members could be seen at the Future Students Booth where they could inquire about courses, entry requirements and enrolment, as well as eligibility for scholarships and student loans.

The Innovation Expo, a showcase of the Faculty of Engineering and Science, Faculty of Business and Humanities, Curtin Sarawak Graduate School and Curtin Sarawak Research Institute, also drew large numbers of visitors interested to view exhibitions of student projects and the areas’ teaching and research activities.

Highlights of the Expo included a 2-metre tall ‘Transformer’ fabricated from discarded electronic components and other waste; showcase of a novel low-cost handmade air-conditioner, hydro-powered car and anthropomorphic robotic arm and hammer; and a ‘Space Egg’ game.

It also featured projects by 20 teams of students from secondary schools participating in the Science on Wheels – Tech Mentor programme run by the university in collaboration with the Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC). Their projects involved using C520A Arduino Kits and basic programming skills and electronic knowledge acquired from the programme to create simple yet innovative solutions to real-life situations.

The Open Day also featured a Charity & Community Corner showcasing local NGOs and community-based government agencies; a Kiddies Corner with activities for children; a Newspaper Bag Design & Break Competition; public talks by academics; as well as stalls operated by student clubs, staff, local hotels and eateries, where visitors could purchase food, beverages and retail goods.

For the first time, there were radio-control boat, buggy and drift car races and a demonstration of powered paragliding in collaboration with the Miri Radio Control Club and Miri Paramotor Club respectively. These activities, and the Tibou, a Melanau traditional game and permanent fixture of the event, drew large crowds of spectators.

Another crowd favourite were the performances by students of the university and invited performers from Miri and Brunei, as well as the annual Mr & Ms Curtin contest, at the event stage.

At the opening ceremony, Curtin Sarawak Pro-Chancellor and former Sarawak deputy chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan remarked that the event always brings back a sense of great achievement in the campus’ establishment 16 years ago and at the same time, a sense of newness and fresh beginnings, and the infinite possibilities and excitement that the campus has to offer.

He said that Curtin Sarawak has grown considerably from some 200 students and a handful of programmes to almost 4,000 students and a wide range of programmes in business, humanities, engineering and science today.

He added that the campus offers the perfect combination of location, education quality and affordability and is becoming increasingly globally-focused with students from more than 45 countries and highly-qualified teaching staff from some 15 countries further strengthening its international outlook.

“As we move forward, we will build on the foundation of the memories and activities of the past. As Curtin’s largest international campus that continues to grow despite tough economic times and upheaval in the global education industry, we remain confident and have set a bold vision for the future,” he said.

Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Professor Jim Mienczakowski commented that the event’s growing attendance was testimony of the strong support Curtin Sarawak has within the local community. He said the participation of over 40 local companies, NGOs and government agencies, and the support of over 40 corporate sponsors spoke volumes of that support.

“The continued success of this campus is very dependent on the support of the community, and the annual Open Day is a way for us to further engage with the community and thank them for their support,” he said.

He also added that the event was an excellent showcase of how Curtin Sarawak is working towards becoming a regional leader in education and research, and engaging people and changing lives in the community.

Also present at the ceremony was Miri mayor Lawrence Lai; chairman of Curtin (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd Datu Dr Hatta Solhi, and deans, management staff and student council representatives of Curtin Sarawak.

Organising chairman and Curtin Sarawak’s corporate communications manager Nicholas Leong, meanwhile, thanked all the external participants, event partners and sponsors who helped make the event a great success.

“We are very pleased at the very strong community support and hope that the people of Miri will continue to support the event in the coming years,” he said.

He also thanked Curtin Sarawak’s staff and students, including its over 30 student clubs, for their support, saying that their participation helped reinforce the campus’ family and community spirit.