Curtin Malaysia and Mercure Miri City Centre forge partnership to boost hospitality education and sustainable tourism

Miri, Sarawak – 14 November 2025 – Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) and Mercure Miri City Centre have signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration in hospitality education, industry engagement, and sustainable tourism development, marking a major step in bridging academia and industry in Sarawak.

The MoU signing ceremony, held at Curtin Malaysia’s campus on 30 October, brought together leaders from both organisations to formalise a shared vision of nurturing future-ready graduates and advancing sustainable practices within the tourism and hospitality sector.

Representing Mercure Miri City Centre were General Manager Shan Ravendran, Director of Food and Beverage Kamalaswaran Chandrasakaran, Financial Controller Lena Chong, and Marcom and PR Manager Gloria Bulan James.

The Curtin Malaysia team was led by Pro Vice-Chancellor, President and Chief Executive Professor Vincent Lee, along with senior academic representatives from the Faculty of Business.

In his remarks, Professor Lee underscored the growing importance of academia-industry partnerships in preparing graduates for an increasingly dynamic job market.

“At Curtin Malaysia, our mission is to nurture industry-ready graduates through authentic learning and impactful research. This partnership with Mercure Miri City Centre, a Green Key-certified hotel and a leader in sustainable hospitality, perfectly aligns with our values of sustainability, inclusivity, and community impact,” he said.

Under the MoU, students from Curtin Malaysia’s Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Business Administration, and Master of International Business programmes will gain access to industry placements, applied research projects, and professional mentoring. The collaboration will also open doors for student participation in Mercure Miri’s efforts to bridging academia-industrial initiatives, offering exposure to the brand’s international hospitality network.

General Manager Shan Ravendran expressed enthusiasm for the partnership’s potential to inspire innovation in the local tourism scene. “Collaborating with Curtin Malaysia allows us to share real-world industry insights with the next generation of hospitality professionals. Together, we can drive innovation, elevate service excellence, and strengthen Miri’s position as a rising tourism destination,” he said.

Beyond academic initiatives, the partnership will explore corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects and research on sustainable business practices, reaffirming both organisations’ commitment to community development and environmental stewardship.

In closing, Dr. Fayrene Chieng Yew Leh, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Business, described the MoU as the beginning of a “fruitful and meaningful journey.”

“This collaboration will open doors to innovation, growth, and lasting community impact through joint initiatives, student internships, and applied research,” she said.

The Curtin Malaysia–Mercure Miri City Centre partnership is poised to set a benchmark for industry-academia collaboration in Borneo, supporting Miri’s vision of becoming a vibrant hub for sustainable tourism and hospitality excellence.

For more information on Curtin Malaysia, visit curtin.edu.my or look for Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, or TikTok.

Professor Vincent Lee (right) exchanges the MoU documents with General Manager Shan Ravendran.

Shan Ravendran (fourth from left) and Professor Lee display the signed MoU, witnessed by Curtin Malaysia academics and the Mercure Miri City Centre leadership team.