Curtin Open Day to feature spectacular Kite Festival

Miri – 3 September 2010 – Curtin Open Day 2010 to be held at Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak)’s campus this 18 September 2010 will see a one-of-a-kind Kite Festival featuring spectacular kite-flying demonstrations and various charitable causes being promoted through the flying, display and auction of kites.

According to Kite Festival coordinator Mohammed Riyadh, kites of all types, shapes and sizes will be taking to the skies above the campus.

A team of professional kite flyers from Bintulu will thrill spectators with their deft control of their flying masterpieces that defy gravity with their spectacular twists and turns.

“Visitors to the Curtin Open Day will be mesmerised by the most fascinating, colourful and stunning kites. A wide variety of kites will be showcased, including musical kites, stunt kites, line kites and parachute kites,” he said.

He added that the kite festival is being organised by the university’s John Curtin Leadership Academy and sponsored by the Bintulu Development Authority (BDA), which will be holding the 6th Borneo International Kite Festival in Bintulu from 30 September to 3 October 2010.

Mohammed Riyadh also said that it will be the first time a kite festival is being held with the objective of raising awareness and funds for charitable causes.

Local charities will get in on the act by making, displaying and flying kites with logos, decals and messages promoting their respective causes.

Following the Kite Festival, the kites will be auctioned to raise funds for the charities.

 “The fun starts at 10.45 am and everyone is invited to join. Local kite enthusiasts are most welcome to bring along their kites and demonstrate their kite-flying skills, or they can fly kites promoting their favourite charitable causes,” said Mohammed Riyadh.

The kite auction will be held at about 2 pm in the afternoon, and the public is encouraged to support the charities by bidding for the kites.

For more information on the Kite Festival, contact Mohammed Riyadh at 012-898 0558 or visit the event homepage at www.curtin.edu.my/curtinopenday2010/kite.htm.

The Kite Festival is one of the activities being held to support local charitable and community causes during Curtin Open Day 2010. There will also be a ‘Charity & Community Corner’ where charitable organisations will promote their causes, and community groups their arts and handicrafts. There will also be a blood donation drive and free health checks.

15 organisations have confirmed their participation in the various activities, including the Miri Sunflower Centre, PIBAKIS, NASOM, PERYATIM, Agensi Anti Dadah, Columbia Asia Hospital, Human Life Service, Palliative Care Centre, Sarawak Cancer Society, Mental Health Association, Single Mothers’ Association, Sarawak Society for the Blind, Breast Cancer Welfare Association, Miri Blood Bank and the Malaysian Red Crescent Society.

Indeed, there will be literally something for everyone at Curtin Open Day 2010, whether you are interested support charities, expand your knowledge, enrol in one of the university’s programmes, or would simply like to take the opportunity to visit the university campus, or perhaps bring the entire family along to enjoy a day of fun and festivities.

The event is open to all and admission is free. In addition, visitors stand the chance to win attractive prizes in lucky draws, games and activities, and also get to take home a range of interesting giveaways.

This year’s event, themed ‘Get Curious!’, will feature several new attractions. Besides the Kite Festival, there will be a Technology & Innovation Exhibition showcasing some of the newest, cutting edge and most interesting research across all areas of Curtin Sarawak as well as fun interactive games and activities.

The event also carries a predominant environmental theme in support of Miri’s bid to become the first ‘green city’ in Malaysia, as well as to promote Curtin Sarawak’s ‘Go Green!’ environmental initiatives. The Miri City Council, which is actively working towards a greener Miri and the driving force behind the ‘green city’ campaign, is fully supporting the event.

In addition to incorporating an ‘Environmental Awareness Corner’ highlighting environmental projects and initiatives by government and non-governmental organisations in the city, the organisers are urging visitors to bring along the event’s promotional flyers and newspaper pages with the event advertisements to redeem environment-friendly shopping bags with the event logo. The flyers and newsprint will be sent for recycling later.

Visitors are also encouraged to bring their own shopping bags and recyclable food containers to minimise the use of plastic bags and styrofoam containers on the day.

Other attractions will include food and beverage stalls operated by the university’s student clubs, hotels and food outlets; games and activity stalls; product displays and retail booths; musical and cultural performances; dance and cultural performances; International Culture Exhibition, Beauty & Health Corner promoting beauty and healthcare products; and Kiddies’ Corner.

The John Curtin Leadership Academy (JCLA) is Curtin Sarawak’s elite programme for student leaders that espouses the core values of Vision, Leadership and Community Service. For more information on the JCLA, visit www.curtin.edu.my/University%20Life/john_curtin_academy.htm.

Kites of all sizes and shapes will be showcased during the Kite Festival in conjunction with Curtin Open Day 2010 on 18 September.