Curtin Sarawak gets thumbs up from Australian Universities Quality Agency

Miri – 25 May, 2009 – Curtin University of Technology, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) has been commended by the Australian Universities Quality Agency (AUQA) for the successful conceptualisation, establishment and development of its state-of-the-art campus here in Miri, and the development and implementation of internationalisation of research, as well as its developing research record.

The successful outcome of the audit carried out in September last year is a mark of the campus’ high quality and standards, according to its Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Evans.

The audit found Curtin Sarawak to be fully committed to innovation and excellence and in teaching and research for the development of global citizenship, and that its strategic plans and framework were well developed. Complemented by accreditation from external bodies both overseas and in Malaysia, such as the Chartered Public Accountants Australia, Board of Engineers Australia, Board of Engineers Malaysia and the Malaysian Quality Agency, Curtin Sarawak has shown that it is a university of the highest standing, said Professor Evans.

“Quality audits such as AUQA and the Malaysian Qualifications Agency or MQA audit are important to us as they are not only a measure of our success, but also help to give the public and all our stakeholders, from our students and staff to our shareholders and relevant government bodies, assurance of our quality and standards. Moreover, they show that our quality and standards are constantly safeguarded and enhanced,” he added.

The AUQA audit is an Australian government requirement to ensure that all Australian self-accrediting higher education institutions (SAIs) such as Curtin University of Technology, including its international campuses, meet a number of guidelines, codes of practice and codes of conduct relating to specific aspects of higher education. It considers the extent to which the institution is meeting its objectives, and how the institution monitors and improves its performance. In 2007, AUQA finished its first cycle of audits of SAIs and last year, conducted a second cycle of audits involving some changes to the scope and nature of the audits.

Curtin Sarawak is Curtin University of Technology’s first offshore campus in Malaysia established in 1999 and currently has some 2,600 students made up of a cosmopolitan mix of Malaysians and international students from some 40 different countries. It offers a wide variety of high-quality courses, including foundation studies in Commerce and Arts, as well as Engineering and Science; diploma courses in Process Plant Technology and Business; undergraduate degree courses in Arts, Commerce, Science and Technology, and postgraduate studies in Project Management, Business, Engineering and Science. In addition, it offers pre-university and intensive English language courses.

Besides its main campus in Perth, Western Australia, and the Miri campus, Curtin has campuses throughout Western Australia and in Sydney and Singapore.

As an offshore campus of Curtin University, Curtin Sarawak was assessed by AUQA on a wide range of criteria, including ensuring quality student experience, which encompasses student life cycle, curriculum design, teaching and learning experiences, assessment and feedback, and evaluation of teaching and learning.

The internationalisation of its teaching, research and service functions was also assessed, including the internationalisation of the content of curricula, teaching and learning methods, assessment methods and research.

According to Professor Evans, Curtin Sarawak’s accomplishments can be attributed to its commitment to continuous quality improvement through its Continuous Improvement Cycle (CIC) in which the university adopts a systematic comparison of institutional performance to institutional purpose to evaluate institutional effectiveness. The CIC comprises strategic planning, operational planning, alignment of budgeting to the planning process, performance assessment of academic and service areas, continual improvement, and implementation of the university’s Performance Management Programme.

“This is very much in line with AUQA’s approach to its audit, which is the assessment of whether the institution’s missions and visions are fit for its purpose,” he said.

He added that Curtin Sarawak’s continuous improvement culture, strategic plans, processes and activities are all linked to its vision to be the campus of choice for education and research serving its wider region, commitment to innovation and excellence, and the promotion of the values of integrity, respect, fairness, understanding and harmony.

During his recent visit to Miri for Curtin Sarawak’s 10th Anniversary celebration, Chancellor of Curtin University of Technology Gordon Martin cited the AUQA audit findings as one of Curtin Sarawak’s most resounding successes. He also noted how the university continues to develop strongly, attracting greater numbers of students and a gaining a positive and growing reputation.

Curtin Sarawak’s accomplishments can be attributed to its commitment to continuous quality improvement, says Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor John Evans.

Curtin Sarawak’s state-of-the-art campus in Miri.

Fully committed to innovation and excellence and in teaching and research.

Students are assured of quality experience at Curtin Sarawak.

Internationalisation of teaching, research and service functions were assessed.