Curtin Sarawak, Institution of Engineers Malaysia strengthen ties

Miri – 27 May 2011 – Working hand-in-hand with other stakeholders will help fulfil the government’s grand vision for Miri and Sarawak, as well as help the nation’s efforts in capacity building, knowledge acquisition and skills development.

Assistant Minister of Communications and Assistant Minister of Sports Datuk Lee Kim Shin said this when officiating at the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) and Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) at the Curtin Sarawak campus on 25 May 2011.

The MoU was to extend and strengthen their existing cooperation in the areas of education and training, research, exchange of facilities and staff development established under an earlier MoU signed in 2006.

Signing for Curtin Sarawak was pro vice-chancellor Professor Ian Kerr while IEM was represented by the chairman of IEM Miri Branch, Ir. Peter Ting Kang Ngii. Witnesses to the signing were Datuk Lee Kim Shin, who is also the chairman of Curtin Sarawak’s management board, and IEM vice president Ir. PE Chong.

Datuk Lee, in his official address, said it was crucial for Curtin Sarawak to collaborate closely with professional bodies such as IEM to keep abreast of the latest developments in the professions and industries.

“It will help promote the engineering profession, create career opportunities for young people and jointly ensure the advancement of our city, state and nation. It will also create goodwill within the community,” he remarked.

To date Curtin Sarawak and IEM have jointly organised conferences, seminars and talks. IEM is also the sponsor of the annual IEM Gold Medal Award for the top achiever in Curtin Sarawak’s engineering programmes. In addition to that, several IEM members sit on Curtin Sarawak’s School of Engineering and Science’s Advisory Panel while several of Curtin Sarawak’s engineering academicians hold positions in IWM Miri Branch.

Datuk Lee said he hoped IEM would continue to support the university in its endeavour to produce world-class graduates who are job-ready as soon as they graduate.

Also present at the ceremony were Curtin Sarawak’s deputy pro vice-chancellor Professor Alistair Inglis, dean of the School of Engineering and Science Professor Yudi Samyudia, engineering academicians and members of IEM Miri Branch.

For more information on Curtin Sarawak, visit its website at www.curtin.edu.my.

IEM Miri Branch chairman Ir. Ting Kang Ngii (left) exchanging the document with Professor Kerr, witnessed by Datuk Lee (second right) and Ir. PE Chong.

A group photo following the signing ceremony.