Curtin Sarawak strengthens collaboration with AICB with signing of MoU

Miri – 30 March 2016 – Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) and the Asian Institute of Chartered Bankers (AICB) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen, promote and develop collaboration in a number of education-related areas.

Signing the MoU on behalf of Curtin Sarawak were Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, Professor Jim Mienczakowski and Dean of Faculty of Business and Humanities, Professor Jonathan Winterton. Chief Executive Officer, Tay Kay Luan and Head of Marketing and Communications, Kristine Anne Williams signed for AICB.

The signing ceremony, which was held at the university campus, was also attended by Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Business and Humanities, Associate Professor Pauline Ho and academic staff of the Faculty, as well as other representatives of AICB and banks in Miri.

The MoU paves the way for significant collaboration in the sharing of leading practices and knowledge in banking trends and developments; experiences in relevant research and the teaching of banking and finance courses; and expertise through collaboration in thought leadership activities such as forums and seminars.

Such sharing of knowledge and expertise will enable academics at the university and banking professionals to learn from one another and collectively contribute to the further development of the banking industry. It will also provide both students and academics vital industry exposure and the opportunity to interact with and learn from industry professionals.

The MoU also facilitates the awarding of AICB awards for best Accounting and Banking and Banking and Finance graduates at Curtin Sarawak’s annual awards event. According to Professor Mienczakowski in his speech at the signing, this ensures that the qualifying graduates are well rewarded for their academic excellence, leadership, personal character and the promise they represent of even greater accomplishments in the future.

He also remarked that, as the largest international campus of Curtin University and a leading private institution of higher learning in Malaysia, Curtin Sarawak strives to provide quality education and richly interactive and personalised learning experiences for its students, equipping them with the leadership skills for the future and valuing them as partners in education and research.

Also, through its range of world-ranked and industry-aligned undergraduate and postgraduate courses and through high-impact research in areas of strategic importance, it seeks to deliver outcomes of significant value to communities locally, nationally and globally.

“Therefore, it is an honour to be able to work with AICB, the professional body for the banking and financial services industry in Malaysia, to not only add credence to our commerce programme and give our graduates that added edge in their future careers, but also collaborate to raise industry relevance and standards in the delivery of our courses,” he said.

“AICB places significant importance on knowledge transfer and with an appetite to understand rapid and complex changes in the industry, I am certain that leveraging on both parties’ strengths and capabilities will allow us to attract more quality talent and elevate bankers’ professionalism in this industry.  I also believe that such collaborations will enhance our competitiveness in the global market,” said Mr Tay in his speech.

Professor Mienczakowski (left) and Mr Tay exchanging MoU documents.

Curtin Sarawak and AICB representatives pose for group photo following signing.