Curtin Sarawak continues to offer postgraduate research scholarships

Miri – 20 July 2016 – Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) is offering full postgraduate scholarships for qualified candidates to conduct advanced research study at the university’s Faculty of Engineering and Science.

Among the latest being offered is a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) scholarship for an electrical engineering research project entitled ‘Non-linear Optimisation Framework for Deep Learning Neural Network’.

The project, funded by the Malaysian Ministry of Education through its Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS), aims to develop an efficient learning algorithm for a deep neural network that will lead to a significant leap in the advancement of artificial intelligence applicable to various human-machine interventions.

To be eligible for the scholarship, candidates must be Malaysian citizens and holders of bachelor’s degrees in electrical or electronic engineering, computer science or applied mathematics; and possess good knowledge of image processing, engineering mathematics, probability, neural network and MATLAB programming, as well as a good command of written and spoken English.

The successful candidate will be supervised by Dr. Garenth Lim King Hann and may also work in collaboration with other leading researchers at the university’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, such as Professor Goh Bean San, Dr. Hendra Gunawan Harno and Terence Tan Peng Lian, as well as Dr. Chew Wei Jen of Taylor’s University.

Those interested to apply for the scholarship can contact Dr. Lim at 085-443 833 or by email to glkhann@curtin.edu.my.

Meanwhile, a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) scholarship in mechanical engineering is available for a candidate to undertake a research project entitled ‘Thermal and Total Performance Enhancement of Inclined Solar Chimney Power Plant using Underneath Air-vent and Thermal Storage Medium’ which is also funded by the Ministry of Education.

The research will lead to developing an inclined solar chimney power plant (SCPP) with underneath air-vents to enhance collector performance and reduce thermal losses associated with the collector.

Interested candidates must be Malaysian citizens and possess backgrounds in heat transfer and fluid mechanics in addition to a good knowledge of the usage of ANSYS. They can contact Dr. Aja Ogboo Chikere of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at 085-443 209 or e-mail aja.ogboo@curtin.edu.my for more details.

Another PhD scholarship focusing on renewable energy is for a research project entitled ‘Modelling and Design of a Rotary Vane Expander for Oil Palm Waste-fired Organic Rankine Cycle Power Plants’ which will look into the possibility of replacing costly conventional steam power plants to minimise environmental impact.

More details on the scholarship can be obtained by contacting Dr. Hyung-Chui Jung of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at 085-443 830 or by email to jung.hc@curtin.edu.my.

All the scholarships cover full tuition fees and monthly stipends. The successful candidates will be awarded degrees directly by Curtin University in Australia.

Curtin Sarawak is the largest international campus of Curtin University and like its Australian parent, is committed to supporting and nurturing postgraduate researchers within a dynamic, conducive research environment. It has a thriving community of staff and students engaged in research spanning the whole spectrum of engineering and related sciences, business and humanities.

In addition to higher degrees by coursework, it offers Higher Degree by Research (HDR) programmes and research scholarships for eligible postgraduate candidates to join its vibrant research communities and conduct advanced research study based on their chosen research areas. For more information on research at Curtin Sarawak, visit www.curtin.edu.my/R&D/.

Applications for PhD and MPhil scholarships are invited from interested and qualified candidates.