Curtin Sarawak’s Department of Applied Geology working to enhance teaching and learning and research

Miri – 16 July 2015 – The Department of Applied Geology, Faculty of Engineering and Science of Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) has been hosting a number of activities of late aimed at enhancing teaching and learning, as well as research and development, at the university.

Among them was a visit by distinguished academic Dr. Miklos Kazmer from the Department of Palaeontology, Eötvös University in Budapest, Hungary, who was on a study tour of Southeast Asian karst regions. Dr. Kazmer is an expert in notch erosional features and hypogene cave formations.

During his visit, Dr. Kazmer met with senior lecturer of applied geology Associate Professor Dr. Dominique Dodge-Wan. They exchanged ideas and discussed Dr. Dodge-Wan’s current research in karst phenomenon at the Niah Caves near here, as well as preliminary field studies she has carried out in the region.

Together with applied geology student Chu Wai Hsin, Dr. Kazmer and Dr. Dodge-Wan went on a four-day visit to the Niah Caves to examine the features of some of the lesser known caves there, as well as the larger ones which Sarawak is famous for.

The Niah visit was a good opportunity for both academics to exchange ideas about karst formations. Dr. Dodge-Wan, who is also well-versed in meteoric cave formations, and Dr. Kazmer both have a wealth of experience through work involvements in different parts of the world.

According to Head of the Department of Applied Geology Associate Professor Dr. Ramasamy Nagarajan, Curtin Sarawak actively promotes interaction and collaboration with visiting academics to enhance its teaching and learning and research and development.

Earlier this month, his department organised a Student Lecture Tour (SLT) in collaboration with the European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers (EAGE). Curtin Sarawak was among universities in Sarawak selected by EAGE to host the lecture which rotates between a number of universities in the Asia Pacific region.

The lecture was delivered by Director of Geosciences of ffA GeoTeric and Honoured Lecturer for Student Lecture Tour Asia Pacific (2015-2016) Dr. Gaynor Paton. ffA GeoTeric is a company that provides world-leading geological expression software and services to the oil and gas industry.

Over 40 staff and students of Curtin Sarawak attended the lecture entitled ‘Colour Perception and Its Role in Seismic Interpretation: A Geological Expression Story’. The three-hour lecture included case study, interpretation and discussion with the participants.

Dr. Nagarajan commented that SLT has been well-received by universities in various countries as it provides an excellent opportunity for geoscience students to get acquainted with the latest developments in the geosciences.

“SLT is particularly beneficial to geology students of Curtin Sarawak eyeing careers in the oil and gas industry. We thank EAGE and Dr. Gaynor Paton for their strong support and conducting this lecture. We hope EAGE will be able to organise another one in the near future,” said Dr. Nagarajan.

Curtin Sarawak offers Curtin University’s Bachelor of Science (Applied Geology), a 3-year degree programme accredited by the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Australian Institute of Geoscientists and Geological Society of Australia International Association of Hydrogeologists. It is among the most popular engineering and related science programmes at the university.

In Malaysia, it is recognised by the Malaysian Ministry of Education and Public Services Department, and through the Washington Accord to which both Australia and Malaysia are signatories, the qualification is recognised by all the participating nations.

Curtin Sarawak’s August 2015 intake is in progress and students who are interested to enrol in its foundation or undergraduate programmes are encouraged to apply now. Orientation Week for degree programmes will commence on 28 July, while those for the foundation and postgraduate programmes will commence on 11 August and 1 September respectively.

Dr. Kazmer, Dr. Dodge-Wan and Chu examining cave wall features in the Traders Cave at Niah.

Director of Geosciences of ffA GeoTeric Dr. Gaynor Paton.

Group photo of participants attending the Student Lecture Tour at Curtin Sarawak.