Curtin Sarawak launches Leadership and Entrepreneurship Centre

Miri – 28 October 2013 – Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) recently launched its Leadership and Entrepreneurship Centre (LEC), which will function as its student and community development arm.

The launching was held as part of the opening ceremony of the university’s annual Curtin Career Fair held at its campus.

Officiating at the launch was Curtin Sarawak Council chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr. George Chan, who said the LEC is in line with Curtin’s initiative of Transforming Learning.

“The initiative will see an increased focus on leadership and fine tuning students’ learning experience to ensure the skills and expertise of our graduates are aligned with the changing demands of employers,” he said.

He added that leadership is a critical ingredient in the skills base of all employees, and that graduates who have developed these attributes have an advantage over their counterparts.

“With this in mind, Curtin is strengthening its existing programmes and creating new opportunities for students to develop leadership skills aligned to the Social Change Model of Leader built around personal, team and community values,” said Dr. Chan.

The LEC will spearhead the John Curtin Leadership Academy (JCLA) programme, Curtin’s flagship student leadership and entrepreneurship development programme, at Curtin Sarawak, besides organising campaigns, workshops, modules delivery and project mentoring to raise awareness of leadership and entrepreneurship among students.

Existing voluntary student organisations, namely Curtin Volunteers!, Curtin E-fact, Model United Nations Curtin Sarawak (MUN.CS) and International Association of Students in Economic and Commercial Science (AIESEC) will now come under the purview of the LEC and will assist in driving the centre’s activities.

To begin with, Curtin Sarawak has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Teach for Malaysia (TFM). Under the MoU, TFM will provide expertise in supporting training sessions for Curtin Sarawak’s voluntary student organisations in conducting educational development programmes for underprivileged youth and children.

In return, Curtin Sarawak will support TFM’s effort to recruit the best teaching fellows among their graduating students.

The ceremony also witnessed the exchange of two significant MoUs between Curtin Sarawak and its key industry partners Malaysian Industrial Development Finance Berhad (MIDF) and Crowe Horwath.

Dr. Chan said the MoUs between MIDF and Crowe Horwath are additions to Curtin Sarawak’s growing list of industry partners with whom the university will continue to forge mutually beneficial relationships.

The MoUs are focused on internship and placement and will provide Curtin Sarawak students with more opportunities to learn and develop beyond the classroom, gain practical experience in their field of study, interact with industry professionals and establish extensive personal and professional networks that would give them the competitive edge in their future careers.

“The MoUs also allow the exploration of opportunities to collaborate in the areas of research and education,” said Dr. Chan.

Among those present were Curtin Sarawak pro vice-chancellor and chief executive Professor Jim Mienczakowski; deputy pro-vice chancellor Professor Yudi Samyudia and University Life Manager Haslina Malek.

Professor Mienczakowski remarked that leadership and entrepreneurship play a big role in the world today, and as such, Curtin Sarawak strives to provide its students with unique and fulfilling beyond-the-classroom experiences in its commitment towards improving their university life.

“We continually look for good men and women with a passion for being in the frontline, whether they are new to the concept or seasoned agents of change; we are open to anyone with that passion for leadership and entrepreneurship,” he said.

Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr. George Chan launching the LEC while Prof. Mienczakowski and Haslina look on.