Foundation programmes bring SPM school leavers one step closer to Curtin degrees

Miri – 23 July 2015 – University foundation programmes are intensive, focused programmes which guarantee entry to the university upon successful completion. If students achieve the necessary grades and any additional requirements in the programmes, they will receive an offer of a place in the undergraduate course of their choice.

Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) – the largest international campus of Curtin University in Perth, Western Australia – has successfully prepared students in this manner since its establishment in 1999. Each year, hundreds of students enter its Foundation programmes and are eventually offered places in undergraduate courses in its Faculty of Business and Humanities and Faculty of Engineering and Science.

Students who have completed their studies up to SPM level and are thinking of enrolling at a top foreign branch campus like Curtin Sarawak should take the opportunity to enroll in its current August (second semester) intake before Orientation Week for new students which will begin on 11 August 2015.

Curtin Sarawak’s Foundation programmes comprise one-year (2-semester) courses: Foundation Studies (Commerce and Arts Stream) and Foundation Studies (Engineering and Science Stream). Both courses are recognised by the Malaysian Ministry of Education.

According to Professor Ir. Yudi Samyudia, Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor of Curtin Sarawak, the Foundation programmes are intensive, focused programmes that are aimed at developing academic diligence, critical analysis, and a raft of generic skills in students. They provide a solid foundation for the students to adapt to university education at Curtin Sarawak more confidently, both in terms of level and style of education.

“The programmes challenge the students to become active learners who can acquire, interpret, communicate and apply knowledge within and across disciplines to cultivate the integrative thinking required in a complex and rapidly changing world,” said Professor Samyudia.

The Foundation Studies (Commerce and Arts Stream) prepares students for undergraduate study in Arts, Commerce and Social Sciences. Meanwhile, the Foundation Studies (Engineering and Science Stream) prepares students for undergraduate study in Engineering and Science, Computing and Information Technology.

Curtin Sarawak has academic and personal support systems in place to ensure that the students have the best opportunity to achieve their goals. They will also be taught by lecturers who are experts in their fields and they will benefit from low student-lecturer ratios in classrooms and a variety of modern, diversified teaching methods including workshops, tutorials, introduction to research methods, laboratory projects, group work, oral and multimedia presentations.

In addition, students enjoy advanced technological support such as a modern library, well-equipped laboratories, and access to online resources at Curtin’s main campus in Perth.

Hundreds of students enter the Foundation programmes each year.

Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Ir. Yudi Samyudia.