Minister of Higher Education visits Curtin Sarawak

Miri – 5 May 2016 – Minister of Higher Education Dato’ Seri Idris Jusoh paid Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) a visit while on a working trip to Miri recently.

The minister was accompanied by Professor Datuk Dr. Rujhan Mustafa, Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA); Datuk Haji Abdul Halim Jusoh, Political Secretary at the Ministry of Higher Education; Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) Vice-Chancellor Datuk Dr. Muhamad Kadim Suaidi and Deputy Vice-Chancellor  Professor Mohammad Fadzil Abdul Rahman.

On hand to receive them were Curtin Sarawak Pro-Chancellor Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam; Pro Vice-Chancellor, President and Chief Executive Professor Jim Mienczakowski and over 30 management staff members comprising faculty deans and heads of department, and professional managers.

Following a luncheon hosted by the university management, the minister held a dialogue session with the Curtin Sarawak representatives during which developments in the Malaysian education sector, the pursuit of innovative learning technologies and pedagogies, and collaborative research among universities were some of the issues discussed.

Dato’ Seri Idris expressed his satisfaction at the progress of Curtin Sarawak’s ongoing development, including its achievements in course accreditation by national and international professional bodies such as the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), Engineers Australia (EAust) and Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) and most recently, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

He commended the university on the continued expansion of its campus, particularly the construction of its new Faculty of Engineering and Science building at a cost of some RM20 million and the RM50 million BioTechnology Centre, the first of its kind in Northern Sarawak being developed in collaboration with Sarawak’s Ministry of Industrial Development.

Dato’ Seri Idris also encouraged the university to actively pursue the latest technologies and modes of delivery in higher education in line with the Ministry of Higher Education’s initiatives to ensure Malaysia remains a keen competitor in the global education market.

Before departing the campus, Dato’ Seri Jusoh was given a tour of the university’s Student Central area, distributed learning rooms and the new Faculty of Engineering and Science building.

Minister viewing models of latest campus buildings.

Group photo following dialogue session.

Dato’ Sri Idris sharing a light moment with Professor Mienczakowski while touring campus.