TRIA Programme at Curtin Malaysia to engage Form 5 students in northern region

Miri – 5 May 2017 – A three-day Training and Industrial Awareness Programme (TRIA Programme), of which one day will be hosted by Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) at the university’s campus, aims to provide Form 5 students exposure to the field of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

The inaugural event will be held from 6 to 8 May and is jointly organised by the Workforce Development Unit of the Chief Minister’s Department, Tabung Ekonomi Gagasan Anak Bumiputera Sarawak (TEGAS) and Curtin Malaysia.

The objectives of the programme are to raise awareness and expand students’ interest in the field of TVET, provide career options that suit the current industrial demands of the State, as well as encourage and inspire students to make informed decisions on further study upon completing their SPM exams.

The participating schools are SMK St Joseph, SM Sains, SMK Lutong, SMK Agama and SMK Luak (representing Miri division); SMK Telang Usan, SMK Marudi and SMK Tinjar (representing Baram); SMK Subis, SMK Bekenu, SMK Baking, SMK Luar Bandar and SMK Suai (representing Subis); SMK Tatau; SMK Sebauh; SMK Kidurong, SMK Kemena and SMK Bandar Bintulu (representing Bintulu); SMK Belaga; SMK Agama, SMK Kubong and SMK Seri Patiambun (representing Limbang); and SMK Trusan Lawas.

Various educational and fun activities have been arranged for the programme. Day 1 will kick off with a briefing session by Awangku Merali Pengiran Mohamed, Chief Operating Officer of TEGAS, and an ice-breaking session by Haslina Malek, founder of All Abroad Young Leaders Centre.

Day 2 will include an opening ceremony officiated by Director of Workforce Development Unit Dr Abdul Rahman Deen, talk entitled ‘What’s Engineering’ by Curtin Malaysia Deputy Dean of Faculty of Engineering and Science Associate Professor Vincent Lee, a campus tour, and activities organised by the Curtin Young Associates (CYA).

Curtin Malaysia Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor Beena Giridharan, will be present on Day 2 of the programme to welcome the participants to the campus.

In addition to talks on industrial awareness, the final day of the event will include industrial visits to Sarawak Shell Berhad and Shin Yang Shipyard.

The programme will be held in the northern, central and southern zones of the State. Curtin Malaysia is the northern zone host where 100 students from schools in Miri, Bintulu, Limbang and Lawas have been invited to participate.

Participants at last year’s TRIA Northern Zone event at the Curtin Malaysia campus.