Curtin Malaysia thanks its community partners

Miri – 3 March 2020 – Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) has progressed by leaps and bounds over the last 20 years since its establishment thanks largely to the strong support of the local community.

State Minister for Transport Datuk Lee Kim Shin said this when addressing representatives of schools, government departments and the local business community at an appreciation dinner hosted by Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) for its community partners at a leading hotel here recently. Datuk Lee is a member of Curtin Malaysia’s campus council as well as chair of its management committee.

Datuk Lee said that though the education industry in Malaysia is facing hard times at present, Curtin Malaysia maintains a positive outlook. He said this is due to the support and encouragement of the local community and the Sarawak government, concerted efforts by the university to recruit more students both domestically and internationally, and new prospects presented by the signing of a new 20-year joint venture agreement (JVA) between Curtin University and the state government late last year.

He said all these augur well for the long-term development and success of Curtin Malaysia, which has grown from a fledgling campus with a few hundred students to one of international stature with over 4,000 students from over 50 countries. In addition, it has produced close to 7,000 graduates in the last 18 years and in ever-increasing and record numbers in the last two years, and is set to graduate even more in its upcoming graduation ceremonies next month.

Datuk Lee added that Curtin Malaysia has adopted quite a different outlook from its early days, expanding Curtin’s footprint in the region in recent years through a well-defined development plan, use of new technologies, increased research capacity, strategic alliances and partnerships, and a campus that is well-integrated with the other Curtin campuses.

He also said that Curtin Malaysia is becoming a prime mover in forging Sarawak’s digital future through innovative projects and capacity development, as well as the introduction of courses in software engineering, cyber security and web media.

Meanwhile, Curtin Malaysia Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Beena Giridharan, said that Curtin Malaysia has over the years built a formidable reputation as Curtin’s largest international campus and global hub in Asia, as well as the highest-ranked global university in Borneo and a leading tertiary institution in Malaysia.

She said that Curtin Malaysia is embarking on a new phase of growth that has seen the launching of its Curtin Trading Room, and soon, a new Engineering Research Laboratory and cafeteria. It will also see the development of a Digital Centre for Excellence and more on-campus housing.

In addition, Curtin Malaysia has launched a number of new courses to meet industry demands – a Bachelor of Applied Science in Construction Management, Bachelor of Science in Computing with streams in Software Engineering and Cyber Security, Bachelor of Science in Health, Safety and Environment, Bachelor of Science in Psychological Science, and Bachelor of Commerce in Management and Human Resources Management.

It has also introduced Journalism and Web Media streams to bolster its Bachelor of Communications, formerly known as the Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication. For postgraduate studies, it has introduced a Master of Commerce in Marketing, a Master of International Business and a Master of Petroleum Engineering.

In appreciation of the support of the local community, it has introduced scholarships and financial aid to improve access and equity to academically high-achieving students from lower socio-economic backgrounds to high quality tertiary education. They have included its Merit Scholarships, Foundation Scholarships and 20^th Anniversary Scholarships, and more recently, the BP40 Bursary Scheme in collaboration with Yayasan Sarawak which allows deserving Bumiputra students in the B40 and M40 income groups to study at Curtin Malaysia at subsidised fees equivalent to those at public universities.

Also present at the dinner were Chief Operating Officer Ir. Pieter Pottas, Dean of Faculty of Engineering and Science Professor Vu Tuong Thuy, Dean of Faculty of Business Dr. Stephen Sim, other faculty staff and staff of the Marketing and University Life departments.

Prof Beena Giridharan, Datuk Lee Kim Shin and Ir Pieter Pottas (standing centrestage) pose for group photo with dinner guests.

Prof Giridharan giving her welcoming speech.

Datuk Lee addressing the gathering of community partners and Curtin representatives.