Curtin Malaysia receives Baker Hughes subsurface modeling software to enhance learning, teaching and research

Miri, Sarawak – 27 March 2024 – Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) has received a significant donation of industry-standard subsurface modelling software from Baker Hughes, marking a major step forward in strengthening industry-academia collaboration.

The software will be instrumental in enhancing learning, teaching, and research at Curtin Malaysia, particularly in geomechanics and subsurface modeling.

The donation followed the signing of a University/Educational Software Licence Agreement between Baker Hughes Reservoir Software BV and Curtin Malaysia. Under the agreement, Curtin Malaysia receives licenses each for the JewelSuite™ 4D Geomechanics Package and the JewelSuite™ Geomechanics Combo Pro, valid for 36 months.

The JewelSuite™ 4D Geomechanics Package includes essential components such as Subsurface Modeling Core, 3D Static Geomechanics, Fault Stability, 4D Geomechanics, and an Abaqus Connector, while the JewelSuite™ Geomechanics Combo Pro offers 1D Model, Wellbore Stability, Advanced Stress, and Advanced Failure analysis. The software enables engineers to construct highly accurate 3D subsurface models, optimise well placement, streamline planning, and mitigate geological risks – skills that will significantly benefit Curtin Malaysia’s students and researchers.

The agreement signing and handover ceremony was held at the Sarawak Ministry of Energy and Environmental Sustainability in Kuching, witnessed by Deputy Minister Datuk Dr. Hazland Abang Hipni and other senior ministry officials. Representing Baker Hughes were Amerino Gatti, Executive Vice President of Baker Hughes Oilfield Services & Equipment; Vu Quach Anh, Managing Director for South East Asia, Baker Hughes Oilfield Services & Equipment; Monica Ferro, Director of GaffneyCline Energy Advisory APAC; and Lim Eng Chuan, Technical Advisor, GaffneyCline Energy Advisory APAC. Curtin Malaysia was represented by its Interim Pro Vice-Chancellor, President, and Chief Executive, Professor Vincent Lee.

Professor Lee expressed his gratitude for the donation, emphasising its impact on industry-relevant education and research at Curtin Malaysia. “This partnership with Baker Hughes reflects our commitment to equipping students with cutting-edge industry tools and preparing them for the evolving demands of the energy sector,” he said.

“It also aligns with Sarawak’s Post-COVID Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS), which underscores the need for technological innovation and skilled manpower to drive sustainable development. We are excited about the opportunities this software presents for both our students and the broader research community,” he added.

The donation underscores the growing importance of industry-academia collaborations in addressing Sarawak’s technological and workforce needs. By integrating advanced digital tools into its curriculum, Curtin Malaysia is fostering a new generation of engineers and researchers equipped with the skills necessary to support the region’s energy transition and sustainability goals.

Curtin Malaysia offers Curtin’s Bachelor of Energy Engineering, where the software will help equip students with the skills needed to navigate the evolving landscape of Energy in Transition. The course focuses on energy efficiency, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and exploring cutting-edge geo-energy opportunities such as geothermal, hydrogen systems, and sustainable energy technologies.

Aligned with global sustainability goals – including the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Malaysia’s NDC in UNDP Climate Promise, and Sarawak’s Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 – the programme prepares graduates to lead in energy and resource transition. Students begin with an Engineering Foundation Year (EFY) before specialising in areas such as Low Carbon Transition, Subsurface Energy Engineering, and Power Systems Engineering. A final-year research and design project ensures they are industry-ready to drive future energy solutions.

In the area of research, meanwhile, the software will also support Curtin Malaysia’s Centre of New and Sustainable Energy Research and Ventures (CoNSERV) team in decarbonisation research through simulation and analysis.

As the largest international campus of Curtin University, Curtin Malaysia continues to strengthen its ties with global industry leaders, ensuring its students receive world-class education and practical exposure to state-of-the-art technologies. This latest collaboration with Baker Hughes reaffirms the university’s role as a key player in advancing engineering and energy research in Malaysia and beyond.

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

Baker Hughes Oilfield Services & Equipment VP Amerino Gatti presenting a souvenir to Datuk Dr Hazland while Prof Vincent Lee (4th from left) and others look on