Curtin Malaysia and Sarawak Energy strengthen ties through tree-planting and student engagement event

7 May 2024 – Miri, Sarawak – In a move to further strengthen their ongoing partnership, Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) collaborated with Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) to host a tree-planting and student engagement event at its campus recently.

The tree-planting was part of Sarawak Energy’s Corporate Level Integrated 10-Year Tree Planting programme, and sharing a mutual commitment to fostering and advocating for environmental guardianship, Curtin Malaysia was invited to partner with Sarawak Energy to plant 100 landscape trees donated by the energy company on its campus.

The student engagement session, meanwhile, was an opportunity for Sarawak Energy’s Internship and Scholarship team to engage with current students in various disciplines, as well as Sarawak Energy Scholars currently studying at the campus, highlighting the latest developments, and internship and career opportunities, at the company.

During the tree-planting, six of the 100 trees were planted symbolically outside Curtin Malaysia’s Faculty of Business by Sarawak Energy staff led by General Manager of Rural Electrification Nazry Abdul Latip and Curtin Malaysia staff led by Chief Operating Officer Sharon Chong. This was preceded by an event launching in the university’s Council Room, where Chong and Nazry gave speeches and exchanged souvenirs.

In her speech, Chong said the trees would augment the campus’s aesthetic appeal and be a symbol of the robust partnership between the two organisations. The remaining trees will be planted across Curtin Malaysia’s expansive 1,200 acre campus.

Chong said it was an honour to join hands with a like-minded industry partner committed to environmental sustainability and community engagement. “Environmental protection and stewardship is a collective responsibility. Therefore, by planting more trees, we are contributing to a global movement that fosters a deeper commitment to environmental preservation. This commitment includes nurturing newly planted trees and caring for existing ones,” she said.

She added that the collaboration was particularly meaningful in light of the comprehensive and significant memorandum of understanding signed between Curtin Malaysia and Sarawak Energy on 17 January 2024, setting the stage for a wide range of collaboration in academia, research, training, and community engagement.

Commenting on the student engagement session co-organised with Curtin Malaysia’s Career and Alumni Services team, Chong said it was an excellent platform for students to interact with Sarawak Energy’s Internship and Scholarship team and get insights into internship and career opportunities in the company. She added that such collaboration helps nurture future leaders and strengthen the ties between academia and industry.

Nazry expressed Sarawak Energy’s pleasure in carrying out its Corporate Level Integrated 10-Year Tree Planting and Protection Plan programme with Curtin Malaysia as it demonstrated a mutual commitment to environmental stewardship. “In an era where environmental conservation is crucial, initiatives like this highlight our collective duty to protect our planet for future generations,” he remarked.

He said Sarawak Energy, the region’s leading energy provider, has long acknowledged the significance of sustainability and environmental preservation in its operations. Similarly, Curtin Malaysia, renowned globally for its educational and research excellence, serves as a beacon of ongoing innovation and progress.

He echoed Chong’s sentiments about the student engagement session, emphasising that Sarawak Energy’s Internship and Scholarship Programme not only fosters the next generation of leaders but also develops a workforce ready to tackle the complex challenges of the future.

“This partnership of ours offers numerous opportunities, whether through internships or scholarships, giving students practical experience and skills pertinent to industry demands. By closing the gap between academia and industry, we aim to forge a pathway for industry success,” he said.

Also present from Curtin Malaysia were Dean of Faculty of Engineering and Science Professor Tuong-Thuy Vu, Dean of Faculty of Business Professor Pauline Ho, Associate Dean of External Engagement at the Faculty of Engineering and Science Associate Professor Ir. Lim Chye Ing, and Corporate Affairs Manager Nicholas Leong.

Other representatives from Sarawak Energy were Senior Manager I (Rural Operation, Rural Electrification) Lensus Anak Met, Senior Manager I (Planning, Rural Electrification) Barry Law Pei Yee, Executive I (Internship & Scholarship Unit) Meredith En Kho, and Executive I (Internship & Scholarship Unit) Dayang Nur Afiqah.

Information on Curtin Malaysia can be found on its website at curtin.edu.my, or look for Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and TikTok.

Chong (right) presenting a souvenir to Nazry

Nazry (back row, 4th left) and his team from SEB in group photo with Debora, Dr Ir Lim, Prof Ho, Prof Vu, Chong and others from Curtin Malaysia (front row, fourth from the right)

Nazry (left), Chong (second right), Prof Ho (right) and Prof Vu during the tree-planting.JPG

Group photo of Sarawak Energy and Curtin Malaysia representatives

Students attending the student engagement session