A quality Australian education right at your doorstep

Miri – 13 March 2015 – Now that students have received their SPM results, it is time for them to consider the next step, which is most probably a tertiary education.

For those keen to pursue further studies at an Australian university but do not have the financial means to do so, Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) offers a quality Australian education right at their doorstep and for roughly a third of the cost of completing the same courses in Australia.

It also offers a convenient pathway for SPM leavers through its foundation programmes in commerce and arts, and engineering and science. Upon successful completion of the one-year courses, students are guaranteed places in undergraduate programmes of their choice at the university.

The intake for the courses is still in progress and SPM leavers are still in time to enrol before the commencement of classes on 30 March.

Those with outstanding results (7As and above) can apply for ‘Curtin Sarawak Entry Scholarships for SPM High Achievers’.

For school leavers in Miri, they can find out more by dropping by the Curtin Sarawak campus or attend the university’s Curtin Application Day events at the Miri Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry from 2 pm to 5 pm on 13 and 20 March, and from 9 am to 12.30 pm on 14 and 21 March.

They are advised to bring along their results for assessment and application, and they will be counselled on the courses and fees by staff of the university.

The foundation courses can be a critical stepping stone to tertiary study at Curtin as they are intensive, focused courses aimed at developing academic diligence, critical analysis, and a raft of generic skills in students. They provide a solid foundation for the students to adapt to university education more confidently, both in terms of level and style of education.

The Foundation Studies – Commerce and Arts course prepares students for undergraduate study in arts, commerce and social sciences. It has two streams – a Commerce stream, in which students study units relating to commerce, and an Arts stream, in which they study units relating to media and communication.

Students who pass all subjects in the course can enter degree programmes such as the Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Commerce (single and double majors) and Bachelor of Arts (Mass Communication).

Meanwhile, the Foundation Studies – Engineering and Science course prepares students for the undergraduate engineering and science, computing and information technology programmes.

Upon completion, they can enroll in degree programmes such as the Bachelor of Engineering; Bachelor of Technology (Computer Systems & Networking); Bachelor of Science (Applied Geology); Bachelor of Business Administration; Bachelor of Arts (Mass Communication), and Bachelor of Commerce.

Low student-lecturer ratios in the foundation programmes mean students enjoy a friendly study environment with individual attention and pastoral care.

The teaching staff at Curtin Sarawak are highly qualified, most of whom have strong industry experience and hold PhDs, and many have won awards for teaching excellence and research. They keep up with the latest developments in their fields and integrate the newest advancements in educational technology into their classes.

Students also enjoy advanced technological support such as a modern library, well-equipped laboratories and access to online resources at Curtin’s main campus in Perth, Western Australia.

As the largest international campus of Curtin University, Curtin Sarawak offers Curtin degree programmes and awards that are identical in all respects to those at its parent campus. There is no difference in the quality of the degrees, their value in the market place, or in their appearance as the degree certificates are awarded by the parent campus.

Curtin Sarawak further provides an undifferentiated Curtin student learning experience utilising the latest learning technologies coupled with strong student learning support mechanisms.

Consequently, it is possible for students of Curtin Sarawak to transfer directly to the Perth Campus to complete their studies once they have become fully enrolled Curtin degree students.

More information on the foundation programmes can be obtained at www.curtin.edu.my/courses/PreUniversity.htm, or by contacting Marketing Officer Regine Toh at 019-855 0839 or by email to regine.toh@curtin.edu.my.

Students will find the foundation courses a critical stepping stone to tertiary study at Curtin Sarawak.