Curtin Malaysia creates history with largest graduating cohort

Miri – 28 April 2017 – Curtin University, Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) is marking a historical milestone today as it hands out Curtin University scrolls to a total of 682 graduating students from its graduating classes of 2017 – its largest graduating cohort in its 19 years of existence.

The graduates comprise 299 undergraduate and postgraduate students from the Faculty of Business, 37 from the Faculty of Humanities, 338 from the Faculty of Engineering and Science, and eight from other Curtin campuses, who are attending two graduation ceremonies today – a combined ceremony for the Faculty of Business and Faculty of Humanities in the morning, and another for the Faculty of Engineering and Science in the afternoon.

Both ceremonies are being held at the university’s 1,500-capacity Recreation and Event Centre and attended by family members and a long list of dignitaries, including Andrew Goledzinowski, the Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia, and a high-level delegation from Curtin University in Perth that includes Acting Chancellor Sue Smith, University Council member Steve Scudamore, Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry, Deputy Vice-Chancellor – International Professor Seth Kunin, and others.

Representing Curtin Malaysia among the dignitaries are Curtin Malaysia’s Pro-Chancellor Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam, Chairman of Curtin (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. Datu Ose Murang, Chair of the Curtin Malaysia Management Board Datuk (Dr) Lee Kim Shin, and Pro Vice-Chancellor, President and Chief Executive Professor Jim Mienczakowski.

A total of 293 undergraduate students from the Faculty of Business are receiving Bachelor of Business Administration and Bachelor of Commerce degrees, while six postgraduate students are receiving Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Business, Accounting and Management.

A further 13 students of the Faculty of Humanities are receiving undergraduate degrees in Mass Communication and 24 are receiving postgraduate qualifications in Project Management.

Meanwhile, 308 students of the Faculty of Engineering and Science are graduating with Bachelor’s degrees in engineering, science and technology, including Chemical Engineering, Civil and Construction Engineering, Electrical Power Engineering, Electronic and Communication Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, Applied Geology and Computer Systems and Networking.

Graduating alongside them are 30 postgraduate students graduating with Master’s and doctoral degrees in Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Petroleum Engineering.

This year’s graduation is seeing one of the highest numbers of postgraduate graduates, 60 in total, and the highest number of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees being conferred at 20. Curtin Malaysia has produced over 5,500 graduates since its establishment in 1999, including over 35 PhD graduates since 2011.

True to Curtin Malaysia’s status as Curtin University’s largest international campus and global hub in Asia, with a strong international focus and students from across the world, the graduating students come from a wide range of countries, including Malaysia, Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, China, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Pakistan, The Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, the United States and Vietnam, in addition to five countries in the Middle East, and four in Africa.

In her message of congratulations to the graduates in the lead up to their graduation, Curtin University Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry said they are all graduating with a deep understanding of their disciplines, an appreciation of the expectations of their chosen professions, and the skills that will position them for success in the modern workplace.

In light of this, they should use their qualifications wisely, both in their chosen professions and to ensure the future economic and social prosperity of their countries and regions, she said. She also expressed hopes that they will stay connected with the university as members of its worldwide network of over 215,000 alumni.

“Fifty years ago, our predecessor institution, the Western Australia Institute of Technology opened and quickly established a reputation for innovation, engagement and inclusion, a reputation that is core to Curtin University’s vision and profile today. I know you, as Curtin graduates, will carry this legacy with pride and make your own unique contribution in your chosen field,” Professor Terry said.

Coinciding with the graduation ceremonies will be an equally glittering Awards Ceremony at the Miri Marriott Resort & Spa this evening, where high-achieving students of the university will presented university and industry-sponsored awards for academic excellence, outstanding extracurricular activities and community service.

The award sponsors comprise many of Curtin Malaysia’s industry partners and professional bodies, including ACCA Malaysia, Asian Institute of Chartered Bankers, Bintulu Development Authority, Board of Engineers Malaysia, CPA Australia, Crowe Horwath, Eastwood Valley Golf & Country Club, Ernst & Young, Institution of Engineers Malaysia, Institution of Mechanical Engineers, KPMG, and the Miri Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Completing the list are Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan, Datuk Dr Lee Kim Shin, Novakey Developers, Ocean Vantage Engineering, Samling Group of Companies, Sarawak Energy Berhad, Sarawak Higher Education Foundation, Sarawak Information Systems (SAINS), Sarawak Oil Palms Berhad, Shell Malaysia, Shin Yang Group of Companies, Wan Ullok Jugah Chin & Co. Advocates, and Yayasan Sarawak.

According to Curtin Malaysia’s Pro Vice-Chancellor, President and Chief Executive, Professor Jim Mienczakowski, the graduation and awards events are also occasions for the university to celebrate some of its latest achievements.

They include new developments in research, renewal of its Tier 5 (Excellent) rating in the SETARA rating system for the fourth consecutive time, introduction of new learning technologies and spaces in line with Curtin’s transformative learning initiatives, and an expanding regional footprint as Curtin’s global hub in Asia through strategic partnerships and collaborations.

Curtin University is now recognised as being among the top one per cent of universities in the world according to the 2017 Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), as well as the university which has progressed more rapidly in major international rankings than any other Australian institution in recent years.

Curtin Malaysia offers the same world-ranked and internationally-accredited courses and degrees as its Australian parent. Furthermore, most of the courses are accredited by professional bodies nationally and internationally, including Engineers Australia and the Engineering Accreditation Council of Malaysia for its engineering courses, and the Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and other international bodies for its business offerings.

Established in 1999 in partnership with the Sarawak State Government, Curtin Malaysia is one of the largest foreign branch campuses in the world. Occupying a sprawling 1,200 acre campus in Miri, it has the conducive environment and comprehensive facilities for a full university campus experience. Its students come from over 50 different countries, making it a very international and culturally-diverse campus, and academic staff from over 15 countries further strengthen its global focus.

Curtin Malaysia marking historical milestone with its largest graduating cohort, including the most PhD graduates ever.

682 graduates from Business, Humanities and Engineering & Science faculties graduating today.

Stage party to include senior leadership of Perth and Malaysia campuses.

Curtin Malaysia has produced over 5,500 graduates since its establishment 19 years ago.

Curtin University Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry urges graduates to carry Curtin’s 50-year legacy with pride.

Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia, HE Andrew Goledzinowski attending graduation and awards events.

Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Jim Mienczakowski says graduation and awards events also occasions to celebrate Curtin Malaysia’s recent achievements.