325 conferred bachelor and postgraduate degrees at Curtin Sarawak’s ninth graduation ceremony

Miri – 13 May, 2010 – 325 students were conferred bachelor and postgraduate degrees in various business and engineering disciplines at Curtin University of Technology, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak)’s ninth Graduation Ceremony recently.

Over 150 School of Business graduates received Bachelor of Commerce degrees with single and double majors that included Accounting, Business Information Systems, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Marketing, Banking, Management, e-Commerce, Tourism Management, Electronic Commerce and Public Relations. Bachelor degrees in Business Administration and Arts (Multimedia Design and Mass Communication) were also conferred.

102 School of Engineering and Science students received Bachelor of Engineering degrees in Chemical Engineering, Civil and Construction Engineering, Computer Systems Engineering, Electrical Power Engineering, Electronic and Communication Engineering, Mechanical Engineering. A further 11 students received Bachelor of Science degrees in Computer Science and Applied Technology, and one received a Bachelor of Technology degree in Computer Systems and Networking.

Postgraduate degrees conferred included a doctorate in Philosophy, ten Master of Business Administration degrees, a Graduate Diploma in Business and four Graduate Certificates of Tertiary Teaching.

The event was officiated by Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister, Minister of Industrial Development and Minister of Tourism and Heritage Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr. George Chan Hong Nam, who is also the chairman of the Curtin Sarawak Campus Council.

Also present were Sarawak Assistant Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communication and Assistant Minister of Social Development and Urbanisation Datuk Lee Kim Shin, who is the chairman of the Curtin Sarawak Management Board; acting Vice-Chancellor of Curtin University, Professor David Wood; outgoing Curtin Sarawak Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Professor John Evans and his replacement, Professor Ian Kerr; chairman of Curtin (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd Datu Dr. Hatta Solhi, as well as members of the Curtin Sarawak Campus Council, board of directors and management board, and senior management staff and academics of the university.

Invited guests included government and private sector representatives, local community leaders, principals and counselors of local schools, and family members of the graduates.

In his welcoming speech, Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor John Evans said, “At Curtin Sarawak, we seek to equip our graduates with the ability to apply their knowledge to solving practical problems and a commitment to serving the larger community. In today’s highly competitive working environment, they need every advantage they can get to advance and improve their marketability.”

He added that Curtin Sarawak’s mission to produce graduates of global calibre is very much in line with the aspirations of the government and the local community as it also means the development of educated and skilled human capital to support the economic growth of the country. He said Curtin Sarawak is furthermore a contributor to the social and economic development of Miri and Sarawak through its community work, teaching and research.

In congratulating all the graduates on their achievements, Datuk Patinggi Dr. Chan in his occasional address, said, “We should all be proud that Curtin Sarawak has made its mark in Sarawak, establishing a reputation for the quality of its graduates. I am sure that all of you are filled with great enthusiasm and eagerness to conquer what lies ahead in your careers. I trust you will make full use of your qualifications in your chosen professions for your own development and for the betterment of your community and country.”

He cited high integrity and adopting a positive attitude as attributes the graduates should possess to excel in their careers, and went on to remind them of Curtin’s graduate attributes of being knowledge users, creative and critical thinkers, research smart, effective communicators, technology savvy, lifelong learners, international citizens, culturally sensitive and profession wise, which all Curtin students aspire to attain by the time they graduate.

He also commended the dedicated lecturers and tutors of the various academic faculties who have contributed immensely towards nurturing quality graduates at Curtin Sarawak.

More information on Curtin Sarawak can be obtained from its website at www.curtin.edu.my.

Datuk Patinggi Dr. George Chan presenting student her degree.

School of Business graduates.

School of Engineering and Science graduates.

School of Engineering and Science graduates tossing their mortarboards.