Academic Awareness Day helps Curtin Malaysia foundation students adapt to tertiary education

Miri – 23 April 2018 – The Faculty of Engineering and Science of Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) recently held an ‘Academic Awareness Day’ for over 180 new students enrolled in its Foundation in Engineering and Science programme.

Organised by the faculty’s Department of Foundation in Engineering and Science as a sequel to an earlier Orientation Week faculty orientation session, the Academic Awareness Day was aimed at highlighting crucial matters such as Curtin University’s values, academic integrity, study skills, feedback and evaluation, among others, to ensure the students have a positive learning experience.

It involved a series of talks, beginning with one on ‘Curtin Values and Academic Integrity’ by associate lecturer Nong Nurnie Binti Mohd. Nistah who highlighted the university’s values of Integrity, Respect, Courage, Excellence and Impact. She also spoke of the importance of academic integrity in upholding the university’s reputation and quality of education.

This was followed by a talk on university life by associate lecturer Vivienne Sim Jie Wei where she emphasised the importance of maintaining a balanced lifestyle, striving to excel in both academic and extracurricular pursuits, and enjoying enriching leisure activities.

Next was a talk entitled ‘Plagiarism, BOE, CWA and Appeals’ by Head of the Department of Foundation Studies Kamaroizan Mohamad, who highlighted the university’s policy on plagiarism and how it is monitored and acted upon. He also briefed the students on the role of the university’s Board of Examiners and impressed on them the importance of its examination-related procedures.

“Following the session, we expect the students to fully understand the policies related to examination results and academic status, including procedures for academic appeals and release of results,” said Kamaroizan.

The final talk for the day was on ‘Understanding Evaluations and Feedback’ by lecturer Shubashini Krishnan in which she clarified misconceptions students often have when evaluating the way their units are delivered and administered. Shubashini said it is important for students to have a say in the way they are taught and to get involved in the unit evaluation process, as well as provide constructive feedback for the ongoing development of the units.

Group photo of students and lecturers at the Academic Awareness Day.

Head of Foundation Studies at Faculty of Engineering and Science, Kamaroizan Mohamad.

Students listening to Shubashini’s talk on evaluations and feedback.