Curtin Malaysia champions teaching innovation through outcome-based education training at IPG Sarawak

Miri, Sarawak – 7 June 2025 – In a bold stride toward transforming the future of education in Malaysia, Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) recently led a high-impact professional development programme at the Teachers Education Institute (IPG) Sarawak Campus here, focused on Outcome-Based Education (OBE) and Knowledge Transfer as key drivers of teaching excellence.

The two-day programme, titled ‘Outcome-Based Education with Knowledge Transfer Programme – Innovation in Teaching to Enhance Learning’, brought together 22 educators for an immersive exploration of contemporary teaching strategies designed to elevate student outcomes and redefine classroom engagement.

Spearheaded by Dr. Lynn Ling Yew Hua, senior lecturer in Accounting and Finance at Curtin Malaysia’s faculty of Business, the initiative was a clear expression of Curtin Malaysia’s mission to foster innovation in education and strengthen community partnerships.

“This training is about capacity-building, equipping educators to shape Malaysia’s next generation of thinkers, leaders, and innovators,” said Dr. Ling. “By embracing outcome-based methods and knowledge transfer, we are aligning teaching practices with both national education goals and global standards.”

The programme featured six modules led by a panel of Curtin Malaysia’s academics, including Associate Professor Raymond Chiong Choo Wee, Dr. Fayrene Chieng, Delon Chai, Wendy Law, Associate Professor Lau Shiew Wei, Dr. Tan Yin Ling, and Associate Professor Bridgid Chin, in addition to Dr. Ling herself. The sessions were coordinated with the support of Julia Bajau, Senior Accreditation Officer at the Faculty of Business.

At the heart of the programme was an evidence-based Knowledge Transfer Programme (KTP) themed ‘Excellence and Innovation in Teaching’. Drawing on the latest educational research and best practices, the KTP equipped the participants with tools to implement active learning strategies, drive student-centred outcomes, and embrace technology-enhanced teaching.

Collaboration with officers from the District Education Office (PPD) Miri ensured that the modules directly addressed local educational challenges while remaining in step with national education reforms.

A highlight of the programme was the post-programme survey results, revealing strong enthusiasm for pedagogical innovation. The participants expressed keen interest in peer evaluation, problem-based learning, gamification, and the use of virtual reality (VR) to simulate immersive learning experiences, especially valuable for English as a Second Language (ESL) learners. There was also growing interest in artificial intelligence (AI)-powered tools to personalise learning.

The programme was made possible through the support of an anonymous industry donor – a Curtin alumnus and passionate advocate for educational advancement – underscoring the powerful synergy between academia and the professional sector in shaping future-ready education.

Dr. Ling concluded, “At Curtin Malaysia, we believe that great education is constantly evolving. By investing in the professional growth of educators, we are investing in the future of Malaysia.”

Following the programme’s success, Curtin Malaysia plans to expand its educational outreach, collaborating with more institutions nationwide to promote sustainable, high-impact teaching and learning innovation.

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

(Seated front row, from left) Dr. Hajah Tiwi Kamidin, Deputy Director and Chairperson of the Secretariat, Committee on Quality Assurance and Policy Compliance; Dr. Ling; and Dr. Huang Chwei Ing, Secretary of the Secretariat, Committee on Quality Assurance and Policy Compliance.