626 receive scrolls at Curtin Malaysia graduation ceremony

Miri – 3 November 2022 – Curtin University, Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) recently handed out Curtin University scrolls to 626 graduates from its graduating classes of 2019, 2020 and 2021 at its largest graduation ceremony held this year.

Two earlier limited-capacity graduation ceremonies for 779 graduates from the same years were held in March and July. These graduates are only now able to attend their graduation ceremonies following the easing of travel and health restrictions this year.

The graduates in this latest ceremony, which was conducted in two sessions at a leading hotel here, comprised 255 graduates from the Faculty of Business, 64 from the Faculty of Humanities and Health Sciences, and 307 from the Faculty of Engineering and Science. They included 39 graduating with master’s degrees and six with PhDs, and 280 with honours degrees and 14 with first class honours.

Undergraduate degrees conferred were in business administration, commerce (single and double majors), mass communication, various engineering disciplines, applied geology, computing, and computer systems and networking.

Meanwhile, the postgraduate degrees conferred comprised master’s in accounting, economics and finance, management, project management, electrical engineering, electrical and computer engineering, mechanical engineering, and geology; and PhDs in business, engineering and science, and arts.

Among the dignitaries attending were Acting Chancellor of Curtin University Damian Gordon, Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor International Professor Seth Kunin. Representing Curtin Malaysia were Pro-Chancellor Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr. George Chan, Chair of the Curtin Malaysia Management Board Datuk (Dr) Lee Kim Shin, and Pro Vice-Chancellor, President and Chief Executive Professor Simon Leunig.

In her opening address, Professor Hayne said she was extremely proud of the way in which the graduates had adjusted to the changes created by the COVID-19 pandemic. “You have demonstrated great resilience and a wonderful spirit – the same practical, adaptive ‘can do’ spirit which has been a part of Curtin since its earliest days,” she said.

She quoted Curtin University’s namesake, Australia’s 14th Prime Minister, the Honourable John Curtin, who said, “The great university should find its heroes in the present, its hope in the future…”. Wishing the graduates well, Professor Hayne said, “As each of you embark on the next step of your amazing life journey, please take John Curtin’s wise words with you – nurture your soul, make sacrifices, serve others, and be the heroes we all need for the future.”

Meanwhile, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr. Chan remarked in his keynote address that the graduates should be proud to be graduating from a university recognised as being among the top one per cent in the world, and as the university which has progressed more rapidly in major international rankings than any other Australian institution in recent years.

“You should also be proud of graduating from a campus that is recognised as being one of the leading institutions of higher learning in Malaysia and the highest ranked university in Sarawak, as well as one that is in a significant way fulfilling its role as Curtin’s largest global campus and hub in ASEAN,” he said.

“Feel proud knowing that you are in esteemed company, joining more than 10,000 students who have graduated at Curtin Malaysia since our establishment in 1999, and Curtin’s wider global network of over 250,000 alumni across the world,” he added.

Curtin Malaysia is a higher learning institution majority-owned by the Sarawak Government through the Sarawak Foundation. Established in 1999 in a joint venture with Curtin University in Western Australia, it offers global-standard education at pre-university, undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Courses at Curtin Malaysia are identical to those at its Australian parent. Engineering courses are double-accredited by Engineers Australia and the Board of Engineers Malaysia whilst business courses are accredited by the Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and other national and international professional bodies.

Information on Curtin Malaysia can be found on its website at www.curtin.edu.my, or look for Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn or Tik-Tok.

Faculty of Business graduates

Faculty of Engineering and Science graduates

Acting Chancellor Damian Gordon awarding a PhD graduate

Vice-Chancellor Prof Harlene Hayne giving her opening address

Acting Chancellor Damian Gordon presenting scroll to graduate

A section of the proud parents and family members

Pro-Chancellor Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan giving his keynote address