Curtin Sarawak offering ‘Curtin Summer Intake’ programme

Miri – 14 November 2012 – Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) will be offering a ‘Curtin Summer Intake’ (CSI) programme in place of its annual ‘January Intake’ programme from 7 January to 8 February next year.

The revamped pre-undergraduate intake offers enhanced ‘Essentially Curtin’ academic skills modules in addition to the Ministry of Higher Education’s (MoHE) compulsory subjects for entry into tertiary studies.

Upon completion of this CSI, SPM school-leavers are eligible to enrol in the Engineering or Business Foundation programmes in March, whilst STPM and UEC school-leavers are eligible to enrol in undergraduate arts, business, engineering, science and technology degree programmes in February.

SPM school-leavers who are interested to enrol in diploma programmes such as the Diploma of Business and Diploma of Occupational Health and Safety, which are offered in collaboration with the Central Gippsland Institute of TAFE (GippsTAFE), are also eligible to enrol in the CSI programme prior to the commencement of the diploma programmes in March.

The CSI programme will give them a significant head start on their university careers at Curtin Sarawak should their SPM, STPM or UEC results prove adequate for entry into any of the pre-university or undergraduate programmes offered.

Current students of the university can also use their free time during their current year-end school break to complete the MoHE subjects, which they would otherwise have to complete in the course of their normal studies.

In addition to the MoHE subjects (Malaysian Studies and Islamic or Moral Studies), the programme incorporates modules in Leadership Skills, Teamwork, Time Management, Preparing for Job Applications, Learning Styles, Study Skills and Exam Skills, as well as learning through talks by industry speakers, business games and field trips.

This will enable the students to acquire the essential skills for a fulfilling tertiary education and get a taste of teaching and learning in a university, which can be quite different from what they are accustomed to in secondary school.

To enrol, students are required to pay the programme fee of RM3000 before 28 December 2012. They must also fulfill the entry requirements for either the pre-university or undergraduate programmes at Curtin Sarawak (based on their SPM or STPM forecasted results, or for UEC students, their actual results).

If they are eligible and decide to enter one of the university’s foundation, diploma or degree programmes following the Curtin Summer Intake programme, their RM3000 fee will go towards their first semester tuition fee, which effectively means they undergo the Curtin Summer Intake programme for free.

Students enrolling the programme also stand to enjoy a waiver of their RM300 registration fee, as well as a further RM200 early bird rebate on their tuition fees, provided their tuition fees for Semester 1, 2013 for degree programmes are paid in full on or before 4 February 2013, and 25 February 2013 for Foundation and Diploma programmes.

Those requiring accommodation for the duration of the programme can enjoy a 30 percent discount on accommodation at the Lakeside Apartments located on the campus with a refundable deposit of two months’ rental. The apartment units feature well-appointed living spaces and are within walking distance from classrooms, the cafeteria, campus shops, computer laboratories, library and other campus facilities.

This will be the fourth time the intake is being offered after very successful intakes with increasing numbers of enrolments over the last three years. Almost all the students went on to pursue undergraduate degrees at Curtin Sarawak.

Curtin Sarawak, established in 1999 in partnership with the Sarawak State Government, is Curtin’s largest international branch campus. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses identical to those at Curtin’s main campus at Bentley in Perth, Western Australia, as well as an exciting stimulating, industry-focused learning environment with excellent teaching methods and state-of-the-art facilities.

Students at Curtin Sarawak gain valuable work experience interacting with local and international industry professionals, learn from lecturers with real industry experience, and indulge in a unique international and cross-cultural learning environment studying with students from over 40 different countries.

Courses at Curtin Sarawak are endorsed by the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and professional bodies both locally and overseas, ensuring wide recognition.

The university is one of eight granted self-accreditation status by the MQA and recently retained its Tier 5 or ‘Excellent’ rating in the MQA’s SETARA rating system for institutions of higher learning (SETARA ’11), which places Curtin Sarawak among the top 35 institutions of higher learning in Malaysia.

CSI programme will also give students a taste of university life and an understanding of the requirements of tertiary education.