Curtin Malaysia bridges legal theory and practice with industry field trip

Miri, Sarawak – 15 April 2025 – A group of business students from Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) recently stepped beyond their lecture theatres and classrooms to gain valuable, first-hand insight into the workings of legal practice at one of Miri’s leading law firms, Sia, Alvin Wong and Partners.

The visit, part of Curtin Malaysia’s Classroom to Field (C2F) Educational Programme, brought together eleven second-year students enrolled in the Contract Law (BLAW2012) unit for an immersive session aimed at bridging classroom learning with real-world legal application.

Guided by Dr. Mohammad Belayet Hossain, Lecturer in Accounting and Finance, the visit featured an in-depth dialogue with practising advocate Victor Sia, who offered an insider’s perspective on the nuances of contract law in commercial settings.

Sia captivated the students with practical insights into the essential pillars of contract formation – offer, acceptance, consideration, legal capacity, and intent – framing them within the context of everyday legal disputes and real-life cases. He highlighted the importance of precise language in drafting contracts and outlined key strategies for minimising legal and commercial risks.

“A well-drafted contract is the backbone of any business relationship,” said Sia. “It is not just about applying legal principles; it is about anticipating problems before they arise and creating agreements that stand up to scrutiny.”

Dr. Mohammad Belayet emphasised the impact of the visit. “The students were able to translate theoretical knowledge into practical understanding, engage critically with case scenarios, and reflect on the ethical responsibilities that come with legal documentation,” he said. “Direct engagement with legal professionals is an invaluable step in preparing them for the complexities of future careers.”

One student shared, “Our textbooks teach us the fundamentals, but this experience showed us the real-world application – how lawyers adapt contract strategies to fit fast-changing business realities.”

This field trip is one of several planned under the C2F programme, which aims to deepen industry-academic linkages across Curtin Malaysia’s business and legal disciplines. It reflects Curtin Malaysia’s strong commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), by promoting experiential learning and showcasing the importance of transparent and effective legal frameworks in business.

Curtin Malaysia offers Curtin’s three-year Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting and Finance double-major as well as single majors in Accounting and Finance. The Contract Law (BLAW2012) unit is among the industry-relevant units students undertake in their second year of study. For more information on undergraduate courses offered at Curtin Malaysia, visit curtin.edu.my/study/undergraduate/.

For more information on Curtin Malaysia, visit its website at curtin.edu.my or follow Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn, and TikTok.

Dr. Mohammad Belayet (6th from right) and Victor Sia (front row, 5th from left) with students during the visit

Victor Sia engaging students with real-world insights into contract law