Curtin Malaysia’s SuCCESS mentors inspire confidence in mathematics at SMK Baru

Miri, Sarawak – 31 May 2025 – In a significant display of youth-led community engagement, 80 Form Four and Form Five students at SMK Baru recently found new confidence in mathematics through a hands-on, motivational workshop delivered by Curtin University Malaysia’s SuCCESS Mentors Programme.

Spearheaded by 20 Curtin student mentors, many of whom are PETRONAS scholars and top scorers in mathematics, the workshop was more than just a tutoring session. It was a vibrant day of mentorship, real-life inspiration, and academic empowerment designed to transform attitudes toward one of the most challenging subjects in school.

SuCCESS, which stands for ‘Support and Mentorship by the University through Community Engagement with Secondary Schools’, is Curtin Malaysia’s flagship outreach initiative aimed at nurturing academic resilience in young learners through peer support and university-community collaboration.

Guided by Curtin Malaysia lecturers Shubashini Krishnan, Puteri Nurul Fatihah Mohamad Azli, Bejay Ugon, and Jameson Malang, along with guest academics Norsyafika Othman and Grace Lau Chui Ting from Universiti Teknologi Sarawak (UTS), the workshop was structured to maximise both engagement and impact.

The day kicked off with a motivational talk by mentor Muhammad Hazmi Zawawie, a Foundation in Engineering and Science student, who shared his own learning journey. A mentor-produced video showcasing the real-world relevance of mathematics further sparked curiosity among the students.

An interactive Kahoot! quiz kept spirits high, with prizes courtesy of Curtin Malaysia’s Domestic Student Recruitment Department, while the core of the workshop lay in its small-group, one-on-one problem-solving sessions. There, students worked alongside mentors to tackle real SPM-level mathematics questions, building not only mathematical skills but also confidence, critical thinking, and exam readiness.

“This was not just about numbers,” said lecturer Jameson Malang, who also oversees the programme’s regional expansion. “Our student mentors connected, inspired, and made learning real for these students. With growing interest from UTS, we are excited to replicate this model in more communities across Sarawak.”

SMK Baru’s principal, Wong Kung Kui, lauded the workshop as “an exceptionally well-executed programme with a clear impact on student motivation.” He added that the school looks forward to hosting future SuCCESS Mentors activities.

The workshop also drew the interest of UTS lecturers, who are considering adopting the SuCCESS model for schools in the Sibu region, a significant step in scaling this proven initiative.

Past SuCCESS engagements have already delivered remarkable outcomes, with one partner school in Miri recording the region’s most improved SPM mathematics results – a testament to the programme’s long-term impact.

As Curtin Malaysia continues to blend academic excellence with community purpose, the SuCCESS Mentors Programme is fast becoming a beacon of how university students can empower future generations – one equation, one connection, and one student at a time.

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.

Curtin SuCCESS mentors and lecturers in a group photo with SMK Baru’s teachers and students

Muhammad Hazmi (left) guiding students through problem-solving tasks

Mentor Wiro Andy anak Alfred (right) engaging students with interactive teaching

SuCCESS mentors demonstrating techniques for solving mathematics questions

Students fully engaged during hands-on small-group sessions