Curtin Malaysia students learn about water treatment on visit to Lambir Water Treatment Plant

Miri, Sarawak – 19 July 2024 – The Department of Health Sciences at the Faculty of Humanities and Health Sciences, Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia), recently organised an educational visit to the Lambir Water Treatment Plant operated by the Northern Region Water Board (LAKU Management Sdn. Bhd.) here.

Thirteen Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) students, accompanied by associate lecturers Josfirin Uding Rangga and Nancy Anak Ujan, participated in the informative visit. The visit aimed to educate the students on water treatment processes and their significance to public health and environmental sustainability.

The visit allowed the students to observe and understand the complex operations involved in the water treatment process, from raw water intake to potable water delivery to the Miri community.

During the tour, the students were introduced to the technology and methodologies employed at the water treatment plant. The plant supervisor, Azelina Azanjani, interacted with the students and shared her valuable knowledge about the practical aspects of water treatment, including filtration, sedimentation, and the disinfection process. She highlighted the importance of protecting the water sources in Miri, namely the Liku River and Bakong River, to ensure sufficient and clean water for everyone.

Josfirin emphasised the importance of such visits in bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. “This visit is a crucial component of our curriculum, as our HSE students need to take the Environmental System Management (EMS) unit, where one of the modules is Water Management and Treatment. Thus, through this educational visit, they can witness the intricacies of water treatment and understand the challenges and innovations in the field,” he remarked.

The students appreciated the opportunity to enhance their learning beyond the classroom. A student representative, Ashley Anak Dominic, shared, “I believe that for the HSE students, the visit is an advantage, especially for one of the Year 3 units, EMS, as part of their academic syllabus.” Another student, Chiew Jia Hao, added, “We have learnt something new today, and we enjoyed the trip as it has deepened our understanding of the critical role that water treatment plays in safeguarding public health and the environment.”

Curtin Malaysia offers Curtin’s three-year Bachelor of Science in Health, Safety and Environment, a course which specialises in identifying and managing workplace risks to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. It prepares students for diverse careers in the expanding area of occupational health and safety. Students learn how to create, maintain and manage safe and healthy workplaces, and also develop professional skills in critical thinking, information literacy and technology.

The course is recognised by the Australian Occupational Health and Safety Education Accreditation Board (Safety Institute of Australia) and the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (UK), as well as the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA). Career prospects for graduates include roles such as environmental health and safety specialists, corporate health and safety directors, food safety Inspectors, health and safety engineers and OSHA officers, HSE consultants and Industrial Hygienists.

The Department of Health Sciences continues to prioritise experiential learning opportunities for students. This ensures students are well-prepared to contribute to their respective fields with practical knowledge and experience.

More information on Curtin Malaysia can be found at curtin.edu.my, or look for Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, or LinkedIn.

A LAKU staff member providing a briefing to the students and lecturers upon their arrival

Plant supervisor Azelina Azanjani explaining the water treatment process

The students and lecturers pose for group photo with LAKU staff