Secondary school students learn basic programming at Curtin Sarawak

Miri – 13 May 2016 – In its commitment to supporting the community through education, Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) recently organised a one-day workshop on ‘Learning Basic Programming’ for 66 students from six secondary schools in Miri.

Students from SMK St Columba, SMK St Joseph, SMK Lutong, Kolej Tun Datu Tuanku Haji Bujang Miri, SMK Chung Hua Miri and SM Pei Min attended the workshop jointly organised by Curtin Sarawak’s Programming Nation Club and Marketing Department.

The workshop aimed to teach students programming by coding simple games. As programming has become one of the essential skills acquired by engineers, it is important to learn coding especially at an early age. It is also helpful in solving basic engineering problems and running simulations.

The workshop was officiated by Curtin Sarawak’s Acting Dean of Faculty of Engineering and Science Associate Professor Ir. Lau Hieng Ho. In his speech, Associate Professor Lau welcomed the students and urged them to make the most of the event, adding that they were lucky to have an internationally renowned university right at their doorstep, a privilege to consider when planning their future studies.

Meanwhile, Programming Nation Club advisor and Head of Department of Foundation in Engineering and Science Foad Motalebi remarked that the students learned C++ coding and had fun creating simple games, while the club president Dharmendra Selvaraj gave a brief history of the club and congratulated the students for taking an important step towards their future careers by joining the event.

Following the welcoming session, the students were split into four groups with each group being facilitated by five members of the Programming Nation Club, all of whom have developed exceptional programmes of their own.

The workshop was divided into four modules where Module 1 was the Introduction to C++ Programming; Module 2 on Decision Constructs; Module 3 on Concept of Loops; while Module 4 involved finalising their programmes and a Q&A session.

At the end of the workshop, the students were given feedback forms to evaluate their instructors and the workshop. Such feedback helps the instructors improve their teaching and learning skills for future events. From the feedback, the participants were satisfied with the instructors whom they described as friendly, patient, helpful and concise when presenting the topics, which in turn enabled the students to easily grasp the concepts.

They also commented that the time management during the workshop was effective and were pleased with the event execution, including its safety aspects. At the end of the event, the students were presented with certificates of participation by Foad and marketing officers Alvin Ting Voon How and Regine Toh Rui Ting.

Wrapping up the programme, Ting gave a short talk on studying at Curtin Sarawak and advised the students to pursue their new-found interest in coding by looking for online materials or contacting their instructors from the Programming Nation Club.

Foad presenting a souvenir to Associate Professor Ir. Lau as Dharmendra looks on.

Dharmendra thanking workshop instructors at the end of the event.

Group photo of student participants and their instructors.