Faculty of Engineering and Science welcomes new Foundation students

Miri – 28 March 2017 – Over 150 new students enrolled in the Foundation in Engineering and Science programme at Curtin University, Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) embarked on their university careers recently following their week-long Foundation Orientation Programme.

The programme consisted of talks, games and other interactive activities facilitated by staff of the Faculty of Engineering and Science and University Life Department and student orientation leaders from the Curtin Volunteers! (CV!), Curtin Malaysia’s student volunteer organisation.

It was aimed at introducing the new students to faculty staff and providing important information to help them adapt to their new environment as quickly as possible, including health and safety issues and rules and regulations pertaining to their studies and conduct.

Following a welcome and introductory speech on the first day by Dean of Faculty of Engineering and Science Ir. Professor Lau Hieng Ho, the students were given briefings on the Department of Foundation in Engineering and Science by Head of Department Foad Motalebi and laboratory safety by senior lab technician Tab Sura Kanang.

Following this was a talk entitled ‘Transition from School to University’ by lecturer Lai Zhenyue in which she highlighted the enriching experiences and challenges the students are likely to encounter in their university life, and a briefing on learning aids, class timetables and academic rules and regulations by lecturer Kamaroizan Mohamad.

“The different sessions provide a crucial platform for students to familiarise themselves with their new learning and teaching environment, which is quite different from what they are accustomed to in secondary school,” commented Kamaroizan.

Other activities included a ‘FUN Session’ where the students worked in groups to complete 20 tasks involving day-to-day student activities such as attending classes, borrowing books from the library and writing emails to their lecturers.

According to associate lecturer Hii Kiew Ling who organised the FUN Session, the session provided exposure and hands-on experience for the students to better understand some of the administrative processes and procedures within the Faculty and across the campus.

Other lecturers involved in the orientation programme also commented on the importance of the programme for new students, saying that it enables them to not only engage with their peers and orientation leaders but also with their future lecturers and Faculty administrative staff. Furthermore, with a clear understanding of policies and procedures affecting them, their transition into the new learning environment will be much smoother.

Curtin Malaysia’s intake for its Foundation programmes is still in progress. SPM and O-Level school leavers keen to enter the programmes in Engineering and Science, Commerce or Arts have until 22 April to enrol. Though classes officially commenced on 27 March, newly-enrolled students will still be able to get up to speed through special mini-orientations and special learning sessions for missed classes at their respective faculties.

The students are guaranteed places in the undergraduate programmes of their choice in the Faculty of Engineering and Science, Faculty of Business or Faculty of Humanities upon successful completion of their one-year Foundation programmes.

New students and Faculty staff at the start of orientation week.