Chinese university keen to collaborate with Curtin Sarawak

Miri – 30 June, 2009 – A delegation from Hanshan Normal University in Guangdong, China, recently paid a visit to Curtin University of Technology, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) here to explore possibilities of collaboration such as establishing student exchange programmes between the two universities.

The four-member delegation comprising Vice President Zhuang Donghong, Dean of the Foreign Language Department Zhang Ruolan, Director of Education Affairs Huang Jingzhong and Chen Weijia, a staff member of the university’s Foreign Affairs Office, were in Miri at the invitation of local entrepreneur Dato Lau Siu Wai, who accompanied them on their visit to the Curtin Sarawak campus in Senadin.

On hand to welcome the delegation were Curtin Sarawak’s Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor Dr. Joan Gribble, Chief Operating Officer James Ng, department heads and deans of schools.

After a briefing on Curtin Sarawak and a dialogue session between the visitors and the Curtin Sarawak management, the delegation was taken on a tour of Curtin Sarawak’s sprawling garden campus and later entertained to lunch at the Lake Café Restaurant at the campus.

This was followed by a meeting with Dr. Gribble and the deans of Curtin Sarawak’s School of Foundation and Continuing Studies, School of Business, School of Engineering and Science and The Learning Centre, as well as its marketing manager.

A separate meeting with Curtin Sarawak Pro Vice-Chancellor Dr. John Evans was held the following day.

According to Vice Chancellor Zhuang, the delegation had done prior research on Curtin Sarawak and found it certainly worthwhile to take up Dato Lau’s suggestion of a familiarization visit to the university. She added that they were very impressed with Curtin Sarawak, particularly its academic programmes and modern facilities, and looked forward to seeing the two universities establishing a fruitful, long-term relationship.

Hanshan Normal University, located in Chaozhou and run by the government of Guangdong Province, has a long history and profound culture. Established in 1903 during the Qing Dynasty, it was the first school to train teachers in Guangdong and has trained a large number of teachers for elementary education in the province. The university has 11 faculties, including an Institute of Mathematics and IT, Institute of Political Science and Law, Chinese Language and Literature Department, Physics and Electronic Engineering Department, Foreign Language Department and Education Science Department.

Curtin Sarawak, meanwhile, was the first foreign university campus to be set up in East Malaysia. Established in 1999 as the first offshore campus of Western Australia’s Curtin University of Technology at the invitation of the Sarawak State Government, it celebrated its tenth anniversary in April this year.

In a matter of ten years, Curtin Sarawak has established itself as a world-renowned international university, attracting students from throughout Malaysia and some 40 other countries to its state-of-the-art campus amidst a beautiful garden setting in the suburb of Senadin, about 20 kilometres from the centre of Miri City.

It is a popular choice for its international outlook, innovative courses, world-class teaching facilities, flexible study options, applied and practical subjects, use of advanced technology, partnerships with industry and government, ideal campus location, experienced academics and staff, and active community engagement.

Curtin Sarawak offers a wide variety of high-quality courses, including foundation studies in Commerce and Arts, as well as Engineering and Science; diploma courses in Process Plant Technology and Business; undergraduate degree courses in Arts, Commerce, Science and Technology, and postgraduate studies in Project Management, Business, Engineering and Science. In addition, it offers pre-university and intensive English language courses.

Dr Joan Gribble presenting souvenir to Ms Zhuang as James Ng (far left)

and Dato Lau Siu Wai look on.

(L-R) James Ng, Zhang Ruolan, Dr Joan Gribble, Dato Lau Siu Wai,

Zhuang Donghong, Huang Jingzhong, Chen Weijia.