Curtin Malaysia students visit Miri Court Complex as part of their studies

Miri – 14 November 2018 – 16 environmental engineering and eight mass communication students of Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) visited the Miri Court Complex last week to learn more about the Malaysian legal system and legal practices.

The site visit was in relation to the ENST3003 Environmental Law and Regulations and JOUR10000 Introduction to Journalism – Writing units of their respective Bachelor of Engineering in Environmental Engineering and Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication courses.

The students were accompanied by environmental engineering lecturer Dr. Daniel Tang Kuok Ho and media and communication lecturer Ngu Ik Ying.

On hand to welcome the group was Senior Assistant Registrar Md. Syafique Md. Hilmie and his staff.

During the visit, the students toured the three-storey complex which houses the high court, session court and magistrate court. They also viewed its video-conferencing facilities used to conduct proceedings online with lawyers in other locations, its auction room where public tender for properties are conducted, and its library housing legal reference materials.

The students got to witness a criminal court proceeding in progress in the magistrate court. Following this, Md. Syafique gave the students an overview of the Malaysian judiciary and the hierarchy of courts, and the roles and responsibilities of personnel in the different courts.

He also briefed them on the e-Courts system, which consists of the video-conferencing system, a case management system, community and advocate portal system, and court recording and transcription system.

Study visits to relevant organisations are regularly organised by the faculties at Curtin Malaysia, being an essential component of the Curtin course curriculum that helps students connect what they learn in the classroom to real industry practices and further enrich their student experience.

The students in this instance said the opportunity to witness a criminal case being tried in the magistrate court was highly beneficial to their learning, helping enhance their understanding of the judiciary system and the roles of various parties involved in the trial.

Dr. Tang said the visit was very relevant to the environmental law and regulations unit, giving the students valuable exposure to the Malaysian judiciary system and a better understanding of how laws in general are applied.

According to Ngu, the visit gave the mass communication students valuable insights that would help them greatly as they develop practical reporting skills and study the context in which journalists research and report in the public interest in their journalism writing unit.

Curtin Malaysia offers Curtin University’s four-year Bachelor of Engineering in Environmental Engineering (Honours), which integrates fundamentals from multiple fields such as chemical engineering, civil and construction engineering and environmental sciences, with a core curriculum that addresses major global concerns such as environmental conservation and engineering sustainability.

Meanwhile, the three-year Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication is a highly practical and technology-centred course, giving students extensive exposure to industry practices and opportunities to work with industry-standard equipment, and produce real work for print, film and television. As of this year, it has been enhanced with the addition of a journalism stream ideal for students keen to pursue careers in the print, broadcast and online media.

Md. Syafique (4th from right, front row) and other court staff with the students and lecturers at Miri Court Complex.