Curtin Sarawak and Centre for Modern Management to collaborate in consultancy and training programmes

Miri – 25 January 2010 – Curtin University of Technology, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) and the Centre for Modern Management (CMM) in Kuching have committed to collaborating to develop and promote consultancy and training programmes in Sarawak.

The two institutions sealed their commitment by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in the presence of State Secretary Datuk Amar Haji Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani at the Damai Beach Resort on 22 January 2010.

Signing on behalf of CMM was its chairman, Datu Abdul Ghafur Shariff, who is also the Deputy State Secretary (Human Resource), while Datu Dr. Hatta Solhi, chairman of Curtin (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., which owns and manages Curtin Sarawak, represented the university.

Witnesses to the signing were CMM Chief Executive Officer Dr. Sabariah Putit and the Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Curtin Sarawak, Professor John Evans.

The strategic partnership between these two leading institutions in Sarawak will greatly benefit the state in terms of human resource and organisational development as they will pool their resources and expertise to jointly develop consultancy activities, training activities and special programmes of study to meet the needs of both the public and private sectors.

Already in discussion is the conducting of Curtin postgraduate courses such as its Master of Project Management and Master of Policy Sciences or Public Administration, which are scheduled to commence with their first intakes at CMM this May.

A second phase of collaboration later in the year will likely include certified professional training and development programmes as well. Curtin Sarawak and CMM are studying the training needs of various state government departments and will develop appropriate programmes to meet their needs. It is envisioned the courses would eventually be extended to working adults in the private sector.

In his opening remarks, Professor Evans said Curtin Sarawak has had a long relationship with CMM, as well as with the State Government, that dates back to its establishment ten years ago.

“Curtin Sarawak has had ongoing discussions about the potential synergy and benefits of working together with the state and CMM. We would like offer programmes that I think would be of interest to CMM, and certainly of importance to the state of Sarawak,” he said.

State Secretary Datuk Amar Haji Mohamad Morshidi in his speech congratulated Curtin Sarawak and CMM for taking the initiative to collaborate in developing Sarawak’s human capital.

He disclosed that in 1998, Curtin University of Technology and CMM collaborated to bring Curtin’s Master of Policy Sciences degree programme to Sarawak and 22 state government officers graduated from the programme with enhanced knowledge and skills in policy analysis and management in the public sector.

“With the implementation of SCORE (Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy) under the second wave of development, it is crucial that our human capital are equipped and trained with the right skills to undertake the challenging tasks.

“Thus, it is desirous and timely for CMM to rekindle the knowledge link with Curtin Sarawak to develop and implement programmes that address the current and future needs of the state,” he remarked.

He highlighted that Curtin Sarawak’s project management programme is generic rather than industry-specific and therefore applicable to a wide variety of industries, in addition to being endorsed by the Australian Institute of Project Management and Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education.

“A key factor for CMM to collaborate with Curtin Sarawak is its internationally-recognised qualifications, which are accredited by numerous international as well national professional associations and governmental agencies, attesting to their quality and giving them much added value. In addition, the quality of the teaching, the reputation of its academics and the application of up-to-date teaching and learning methodologies and technologies allow programme participants to gain an exceptional learning experience,” he said.

He added that with the forthcoming programmes from CMM and Curtin Sarawak, many talented state government officers will be given the opportunity to increase their skill and knowledge base and advance their careers through postgraduate study.

“They will be making tremendous contributions and returns to the state, in particular towards facilitating and enhancing the implementation of SCORE. This is in line with our aspiration to always serve the public better,” he said.

CMM is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Yayasan Sarawak and works in close collaboration with the Human Resource Development and Quality Unit of the Chief Minister’s Department to transform the State Civil Service by improving its synergy with the private sector.

It regularly conducts conferences, seminars, public courses and in-house training courses for both the public and private sectors, and since its inception in 1994, more than 95,000 participants have attended its human resource and organisational development programmes. It also provides consultancy services based on the needs of individual organisations.

Curtin Sarawak was established in 1999 as the first offshore campus of Western Australia’s Curtin University of Technology at the invitation of the State Government, which recognised the need for a tertiary institution of international calibre to match Miri’s tremendous growth and transformation into a city. In a matter of just 10 years, Curtin Sarawak has established itself as a world-class international university in its own right, attracting students from some 40 countries around the world to its state-of-the-art campus in Senadin, about 20 kilometres from the Miri city centre.

It is a popular choice for its international outlook, innovative courses, world-class teaching facilities, flexible study options, applied and practical subjects, use of advanced technology, partnerships with industry and government, ideal campus location, experienced academics and staff, and active community engagement.

Professor Evans giving his speech.

Datu Dr Hatta (right) exchanging copies of MoU with Datu Abdul Ghafur.

Professor Evans presents souvenir to Datuk Amar Haji Mohd Morshidi.