Curtin Sarawak and Politeknik Mukah sign NoU

Miri – 19 January 2014 – Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) and Politeknik Mukah on Saturday signed a Note of Understanding (NoU) setting pathways for diploma graduates of the polytechnic to study at the university.

It also paves the way for further collaboration between the two institutions.

Curtin Sarawak’s Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, Professor Jim Mienczakowski, signed for the university while Abdubrani Yunus, Director of Politeknik Mukah, signed for his institution.

Present to witness and speak at the signing ceremony was Shabudin Man, Deputy Director-General (Strategic), Department of Polytechnic Education, Ministry of Education.

Among those present were Curtin Sarawak’s Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ir. Yudi Samyudia; Dean of Faculty of Engineering and Science, Professor Michael Cloke; and Deputy Director (Academic) Ahmad Masduki Selamat, Collaboration Officer Harmen Muda, Head of Corporate Services and Employability Centre Hamdan Samdin and Public Relations Officer Ivy Stephen Sekai of Politeknik Mukah.

Speaking at the ceremony, Professor Mienczakowski said the NoU augured well for a meaningful ongoing partnership between Curtin Sarawak and Politeknik Mukah.

“This NoU clearly outlines the requirements for students of Politeknik Mukah who have completed their diplomas to enrol in our Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) or Bachelor of Technology programmes, and the Recognised Prior Learning or Advanced Standing they will receive.

We hope that, with this arrangement, students of Politeknik Mukah will take advantage of the opportunity to further their studies at Curtin Sarawak,” he said.

Under the NoU, the polytechnic’s diploma graduates will be given up to a maximum of 225 credits and other favourable terms for pursuing their courses at Curtin Sarawak.

He added that with over 3,600 students from more than 40 countries, Curtin Sarawak offers a unique international and cross-cultural learning experience, and highly-qualified academic staff from some 15 countries further strengthen its international outlook.

“The engineering courses we offer are highly-ranked and widely-recognised in the world, and accredited by engineering professional bodies nationally and internationally. We are also the only university in East Malaysia to be rated Tier 5 or Excellent in the D-SETARA for our engineering programmes,” he stressed.

Shabudin, meanwhile, said the NoU was among the collaborative efforts taken by polytechnics in Malaysia with relevant bodies in both the public and private sectors in and outside the country.

“Our polytechnic education system not only produces semi-professionals with academic knowledge but also nurtures them with the relevant technical skills and life-long learning skills in order to better equip them for the challenging global marketplace,” he said.

He added that Politeknik Mukah has collaborated with other institutions such as Pontianak State Polytechnic, and with Bintulu Development Authority and Press Metal Sarawak Berhad.

He hoped that Curtin Sarawak and Politeknik Mukah will also pursue many other significant collaborations such as seminars, workshops and conferences in the area of education and training for lecturers.

“With a strong commitment from both institutions, I am confident that this collaboration will inspire more joint innovative activities in future, and drive the educational development of Sarawak to even greater heights,” he said.

Prof. Mienczakowski (third left) exchanging the NoU documents with Abdurani while others look on.