Outstanding Curtin Malaysia students receive industry awards

Miri – 5 May 2017 – 82 students and recent graduates of Curtin University, Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) received awards for outstanding achievement in academia, leadership and community service from a range of industry sponsors at the recent Curtin Malaysia Award Ceremony 2017 held at a leading hotel here.

The sponsors included ACCA Malaysia, Asian Institute of Chartered Bankers, Bintulu Development Authority, CPA Australia, Crowe Horwath, Ernst & Young, KPMG, Institution of Engineers Malaysia, Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Miri Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, MJM (Palm Oil Mill), O’Connor’s Engineering, Polar Light, Sarawak Information Systems, Samling Group of Companies, Sarawak Higher Education Foundation, Sarawak Energy, Shell Malaysia, Shin Yang Group of Companies, SIRIM Measurements Technology, Wan Ullok Jugah Chin & Co. Advocates, Yayasan Sarawak and Vantage Productions.

Curtin Malaysia Pro-Chancellor and former deputy chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr. George Chan and Assistant Minister of Tourism and Assistant Minister of Land and Air Transportation and Safety Datuk Dr. Lee Kim Shin, who is also chair of Curtin Malaysia’s management board, were also sponsors.

The awards sponsored were for academic merit in the business, engineering, science and humanities disciplines, as well as awards for outstanding achievement in a national competition, leadership and community contribution.

In his address to the students, Dr. Chan said the annual event celebrated their excellence, and in so doing, celebrated the promise they represent of even greater accomplishments in the future.

He added that while they should take great care in preparing themselves to succeed in their studies and future careers, they should not limit their options and be prepared for any eventuality.

“No one can know for sure what opportunities life will offer. One can be sure, however, that enthusiasm, preparation, self-discipline, and good character will lead to numerous opportunities. In addition, one can be sure that achievement in one area will lead to other, sometimes totally unanticipated opportunities,” he advised.

The event was attended by senior leaders of Curtin University from Perth including Chancellor Colin Beckett, Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry, Curtin University Council member Michael Lishman and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International) Professor Seth Kunin.

Also present were Datuk Dr. Lee Kim Shin; Chairman of Curtin (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. Datu Ose Murang, and members of the Curtin Malaysia Council, Board of Directors and Management Board, as well as Pro Vice-Chancellor, President and Chief Executive Professor Jim Mienczakowski, senior management, deans and managers of Curtin Malaysia and representatives of the industry sponsors.

Professor Mienczakowski, in his welcoming speech, commented that this year’s award ceremony was a landmark event, being the tenth since 2008 and coinciding with Curtin University’s fiftieth year and year-long ‘50 Years of Innovation’ celebration.

He said he was impressed by the students’ level of scholastic achievement and the strength of their commitment to their studies, and that it was a reminder of how important a good education is. He also stressed that it is important for students to enjoy what they do in order to excel.

Professor Mienczakowski thanked the industry sponsors for their support and expressed hopes that their support would extend beyond awards and scholarships. He said that as Curtin Malaysia continues to grow, there will be many other opportunities for collaboration.

Among the award recipients were 45 students who made it into the Vice-Chancellor’s List, several for two semesters due to consistently high academic results. The Vice-Chancellor’s List was created in 1991 to acknowledge and recognise outstanding performance by undergraduate students and promote an intellectual culture among students. Membership of the Vice-Chancellor’s List is for life, and it comes with a number of privileges open only to members.

In addition, seven students received awards from Chancellor Beckett for their graduation from Curtin’s elite John Curtin Leadership Academy development programme.

Award recipients seated during the dinner event.

Professor Terry presenting a Vice-Chancellor’s List award while Chancellor Colin Beckett looks on.

Professor Mienczakowski and Andrew Wee of Samling Group of Companies (5th and 6th left) with recipients of Samling awards

Shell Malaysia award recipients with Professor Mienczakowski and Jonathan Jolly of Sarawak Shell Berhad.

Sarawak Energy Berhad award recipients pose with Professor Mienczakowski and Mak Met of SEB.

Curtin senior executives and representatives of award sponsors pose for group photo.