Curtin Sarawak continuing to offer postgraduate research scholarships in 2014

Miri – 8 November 2013 – Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) – the largest international campus of Western Australia’s Curtin University – is continuing to offer full-time postgraduate research scholarships to individuals with strong academic records wishing to pursue research leading to PhD and MPhil degrees.

As a member of the Australian Technology Network (ATN), Curtin University is widely recognised for its practical research focused on solving real-world problems and has achieved tremendous progress to become a world-class research intensive university.

Like its mother campus at Bentley in Perth, Curtin Sarawak has a thriving community of research staff and students who are engaged in research areas across science and engineering, social sciences and business.

To further enhance its research reputation and excellence, Curtin Sarawak is offering full-time Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Master of Philosophy (MPhil) scholarships in early 2014.

The scholarships are competitive and the selection of candidates is based on ranking established by academic merit. The scholarships cover full course fees and provide a stipend of RM24,000 per year for three years.

Enrolment in a PhD or MPhil programme at Curtin Sarawak is required for the award of a scholarship and all awardees are required to engage in teaching-related activities within their schools on the campus to a maximum of eight hours a week during the teaching semesters.

The research in the PhD or MPhil candidature can be undertaken in applied geology, chemical engineering, civil and construction engineering, electrical and computer engineering, mechanical engineering and petroleum engineering under the School of Engineering and Science.

Under the School of Business, candidature can be undertaken in accounting, finance, human resources, marketing, small business, strategic management, techno-entrepreneurship and tourism.

Both Malaysian and overseas applicants are eligible for the scholarships. For admission to a higher degree by research programme at Curtin Sarawak, applicants would require at least a good Upper Second Bachelor degree (or an equivalent level of academic attainment). For those in their final semesters of an honours degree programme, projected results may be used in an application. For full details of admission requirements, log on to www.curtin.edu.my/R&D/HDR/index.htm.

Award of a scholarship and/or admission to a higher degree will depend primarily on the availability of an academic supervisor for the intended project, and a research topic of mutual interest to both the supervisor and potential student.

Those who are interested in applying should direct their initial enquiries to Professor Marcus Lee, Associate Dean, Research Training (marcus.lee@curtin.edu.my) at Curtin Sarawak’s Office of Research & Development by 29 November 2013.

In 1998, Curtin University was invited by the Sarawak State Government to open an offshore campus in Miri, and from the very beginning, Curtin made it clear that its Sarawak Campus would become a comprehensive university campus. In particular, Professor Paul Rossiter, Curtin’s Deputy Vice Chancellor of R&D at the time stated: “If Curtin Sarawak is to become a university and not just a teaching institution, it will be essential that it establishes a leading research presence.”

Today, Curtin Sarawak has an R&D portfolio that reflects the mission of the campus, by focusing on programmes of research that are relevant to Sarawak and Malaysia. By providing an environment that encourages investigation, it has been successful in attracting world-class researchers.

It currently counts around 100 academic staff in its School of Engineering and Science and School of Business and, of those who teach at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, more than 60 percent are PhD-holders. Over 80 percent teaching at degree level are research-active and this number is expected to increase further in the near future. Further information on R&D at Curtin Sarawak can be found at www.curtin.edu.my/R&D/.

Curtin Sarawak seeking individuals wishing to pursue research leading to PhD and MPhil degrees.