246 students receive diplomas and certificates at Curtin Sarawak’s Diploma and Foundation Certificate Ceremony

Miri – 10 May 2011 – 246 diploma and foundation students of Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia’s School of Foundation and Continuing Studies received their diplomas and certificates at the university’s Diploma and Foundation Certificate Ceremony held at Eastwood Valley Golf and Country Club here on 5 May 2011.

22 students graduated with Diplomas in Business and 19 with Diplomas in Process Plant Technology (Oil Industry), while 205 foundation students received certificates for completion of their foundation Commerce, Engineering and Media Studies programmes.

The ceremony was officiated by Assistant Minister of Communications and Assistant Minister of Sports, Datuk Lee Kim Shin, who is also the chairman of Curtin Sarawak’s management board.

Other distinguished guests were the Chancellor of Curtin University, Dr. Jim Gill; Vice-Chancellor Professor Jeanette Hacket, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Curtin Sarawak, Professor Ian Kerr; and Dr. Peter Whitley and Carol Elliot, the Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of the Central Gippsland Institute of TAFE (GippsTAFE), which is Curtin Sarawak’s partner in conducting its Diploma of Process Plant Technology (Oil Industry) programme.

Also present were members of Curtin Sarawak’s campus council, board of directors and management board; senior management and academic staff of the university; invited guests and family members of the students.

In his welcoming speech, Professor Kerr said the event was the first time the university was combining its diploma and foundation certificate conferment ceremonies, and that it was marking a year of record numbers completing its foundation programmes as well as fruitful collaboration with its partners in its diploma programmes.

In congratulating the foundation students, Professor Kerr said, “Your certificate award provides you with evidence to show the world that at Curtin Sarawak, we acknowledge your scholarly achievements, and by presenting it to you today, we congratulate you on your scholarly achievements thus far.

We recognise that you have built upon your knowledge base, and more importantly, are attaining the Curtin graduate attributes of being knowledge users, critical and creative thinkers, research smart, effective communicators, technologically savvy, lifelong learners, international citizens, culturally sensitive and profession wise.”

He went on to say that it is always exciting to see new cohorts of students graduating from Curtin Sarawak’s diploma programmes each year. He expressed hopes that those who have chosen to enter undergraduate programmes at Curtin Sarawak would use the academic skills they had cultivated in their diploma programmes to their undergraduate programmes, and for those starting jobs in industry, he wished them all the best.

Professor Kerr also gave due recognition to VTEC and GippsTAFE for their support in conducting the Diploma of Business and Diploma of Process Plant Technology (Oil Industry) programmes since 2006. He said it was due to the support of these organisations that Curtin Sarawak has been able to offer programmes of such high quality.

Datuk Lee in his occasional address, meanwhile, said the increasing number of foundation graduates each year showed just how much Curtin Sarawak has grown and how well its programmes are doing.

He attributed the successes to the innovative approach to teaching and learning applied by the academics at School of Foundation and Continuing Studies, as well as their hard work and commitment.

He urged all staff and students of Curtin Sarawak to work together to help Curtin achieve its vision of becoming an international leader shaping the future through its graduates and research and positioned among the top 20 universities in Asia by 2020.

Valedictorians for the diploma and foundation programmes, Peter Ng and Adian Soe, as well as James Chai, president of the Curtin Sarawak Student Council 2011, also delivered speeches during the ceremony.

For more information on Curtin Sarawak, visit its website at www.curtin.edu.my.

Professor Ian Kerr addressing the graduating students.

Chancellor Dr. Jim Gill presenting a diploma graduate his award as Datuk Lee Kim Shin and Professor Jeanette Hacket look on.

The diploma graduates pose for group photo.