Curtin Sarawak holds inaugural Curtin Counselling Seminar

Miri – 7 July, 2009 – Curtin University of Technology, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) recently held its inaugural Curtin Counselling Seminar at its campus here.

It was organised by the Career and Counselling section of the university’s University Life Department and attended by 40 participants comprising student counsellors from local secondary schools, recruitment agents based in Miri and Kuching, counsellors and para-counsellors from non-governmental organisations, Miri Hospital, as well as Universiti Brunei Darussalam and Curtin Sarawak.

The objectives of the 2-day workshop was to train counsellors in understanding people’s reactions to crisis and the best approaches to address them, as well as identifying those in need of help. It focused on areas related to psychology, giving counsellors insights on aspects of psychology that can be integrated with counselling techniques to enhance their counselling skills.

Facilitating the seminar was Dr. Sean Murray, Acting Director of Support Services and head of the Counselling Service at Curtin University of Technology’s main Bentley Campus in Perth, Western Australia.

As a psychologist, he has worked for several psychiatric hospitals in government and military environments, student counselling services, substance abuse programmes, and private practice.

Dr. Murray was once the Deputy Head of Department and coordinator of postgraduate courses in clinical psychology at the Medical University of Southern Africa. He was also a lecturer and Associate Director of the Centre for Psychology at the University of Pretoria.

“We were most pleased with the number of participants attending the seminar considering it was the first time we organised such a seminar. Given the good response, we are seriously considering making it an annual event,” said Christine Lau, Curtin Sarawak’s Student Counsellor.

She added that it was a very fruitful event for everyone, and the participants were glad to be able to learn first-hand from a professional with vast experience such as Dr. Murray.

According to Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor of Curtin Sarawak, Dr. Joan Gribble, counselling is crucial to the well-being of students and staff of tertiary institutions such as Curtin Sarawak, and the university seeks to continually enhance the skills and effectiveness of its counsellors.

Curtin Sarawak’s Counselling Service is a free and confidential service provided by its University Life Department to all students. Experienced counsellors provide support and advice on studies, career, cross-cultural issues and other matters.

Group photo of participants of the inaugural Curtin Counselling Seminar.