Curtin Malaysia Graduate School welcomes new HDR students

Miri – 19 August 2022 – The Curtin Malaysia Graduate School (CMGS) and Curtin Malaysia Postgraduate Research Association (CMPRA) of Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) recently co-organised a party to welcome 27 new and returning postgraduate research or Higher Degree by Research (HDR) students to Curtin Malaysia.

The students included a number of international students from Indonesia, Vietnam, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria and Zimbabwe, several of whom are returning to the campus for the first time following the Movement Control Order (MCO).

About 50 current HDR students and management staff including Curtin Malaysia’s Deputy Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Vincent Lee Chieng Chen, CMGS Director Deputy Dean of Research and Development Professor Agus Saptoro, and representatives of Curtin Malaysia’s three faculties also joined the event.

In his speech welcoming the new students, CMPRA President Melvin Wee said he was happy to see both new and familiar faces among the students. He expressed hopes the event would enhance interaction and peer support among the HDR students and invited them to take active part in CMPRA events.

This was followed by a talk on ‘The HDR Journey’ by Prof. Saptoro where he reiterated that the main focus of HDR students should be to carry out cutting-edge research, complete their research projects on time, and ultimately qualify for their degrees. However, they should also make the best of their student experience by taking part in non-academic activities on campus, and take opportunities to expand their professional networks.

“Your fellow HDR students sitting in this room will become your lifetime friends and some of them could very well be your future bosses and colleagues. Therefore, it is of paramount importance that you get to know them and build collegial relationships with them,” he asserted.

Prof. Saptoro also gave assurances that the students have access to various support systems provided by postgraduate supervisors, thesis chairs, faculty members, and the CMGS itself to ensure successful and rewarding HDR projects.

The students also heard a talk by Dr. Adeline Wong, Curtin Malaysia’s Director of Health, Counselling and Disability Services, on student life abroad, core values to be observed by postgraduate students, and mental health awareness. She, too, emphasised the importance of fostering good relations with peers and supervisors and making full use of the support systems in place, including the health and counselling services provided by her department.

To break the ice and foster team-building, as well as give the newer students the opportunity to explore the campus, the students formed groups for a campus-wide treasure hunt. The evening culminated with an outdoor barbecue at the campus’ newly-opened cafeteria, Kafe Kenyalang.

Information on Curtin University Malaysia can be found on its website at www.curtin.edu.my, or look for Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn or Tik-Tok.

CMPRA President Melvin Wee addressing the HDR students.

Prof Agus Saptoro giving talk on ‘The HDR Journey’.

Group photo of HDR students and staff.

Students enjoying barbecue dinner with Prof Agus Saptoro (right).