Amazing Race: Curtin tests wits and endurance of Curtin Malaysia students

Miri – 13 May 2019 – 24 students of Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) had their wits and endurance tested when they participated in the ‘Amazing Race: Curtin’ organised by the student-run Curtin Board Game Club in conjunction with Curtin Malaysia’s 20th anniversary celebrations recently.

Based on the popular television reality show The Amazing Race, the event saw the students competing in six teams to win the RM500 grand prize.

Supported by the university’s Library & Learning Commons department, the event was organised with the aim of strengthening teamwork amongst students and helping them relieve stress. It was also an opportunity for new students to get familiar with the university’s campus.

The race kicked off with an opening ceremony officiated by Curtin Malaysia Chief Operating Officer Ir. Pieter Willem Pottas and a briefing on the objectives and rules of the race.

The participating teams were then put through a series of tasks leading them to 18 stations – 15 within campus and three stations in the surrounding Desa Senadin area – where they had to carry out various tasks.

There were three major challenges in the race, namely “Crime Scene Investigation (CSI): Curtin’, ‘Blackout’ and ‘Jigsaw’. In ‘CSI: Curtin’, the participants had to investigate a crime scene and identify the murderer, while in ‘Blackout’, they had to correctly guess the contents of a secret box. The ‘Jigsaw’ challenge saw the participants manoeuvring around stretched strings with bells attached to look for clues and keys without triggering the bells.

The race was won by team ‘Still Young’ comprising Ling Siew Ai, Chong Sin Kiat, Quah Ray Vern and Goh Kheng Khiam. In second place was ‘The Inevitable’ comprising Chia Yanshi, Phang Yeong Hua, Muhammad Falah Effendi Yunus and Mohammad Fadhirul Fadhli. ‘Team’ consisting of Ting Teck Siong, Teo Kok Yan, Cheah Jia Min and Yeo Wei Kiat came in third.

Organising chairperson Jennifer Teo Shie Hui remarked that the Curtin Board Game Club wanted to organise an event that was different from their usual board game activities to help students step outside of their comfort zones and enhance their teamwork skills.

“Nowadays, most young people prefer to stay at home and play with their mobile devices. They are not really willing to try new experiences, especially if it involves strenuous activity or spending time outdoors. We wanted to get people out there enjoying some fun in the sun,” she said.

Ir. Pottas, in his opening speech, commended the Curtin Board Game Club for organising the race, saying that it was a wonderful way to get students to engage in a fun, healthy activity outside of their daily routines of lectures, projects and other academic activities.

“I think our campus can do a lot more to enliven campus life, to help promote integration and cohesiveness within our campus community, and give students opportunities to connect, collaborate and make new friends,” said Pottas.

“Students at Curtin Malaysia are encouraged to organise and participate in activities to help make campus life more exciting and fulfilling. All forms of physical activities that get students out in the great outdoors, away from their comfy couches and their gadgets, and help create healthy bodies and minds, are always encouraged,” he added.

‘Amazing Race: Curtin’ was sponsored by Datuk Lee Kim Shin, Tea Co., Kenny Rogers Roasters, The One Gym Centre, associate lecturer Hii Kiew Ling and student Ling Kah Lung.

Amazing Race: Curtin participants and organising committee with Ir. Pottas (centre).

One of the teams heading out in search of clues.

A participant undergoing a challenge.

Participants were not averse to getting their faces dirty.