Curtin Sarawak offering postgraduate research opportunities through PhD scholarships

Miri – 2 February 2012 – As a member of the Australian Technology Network (ATN) of universities, Perth-based Curtin University is widely recognised for its practical research that is firmly focused on solving real-world problems.

Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak), Curtin’s largest international campus located in Miri, Sarawak, is equally committed to advancing research to address local and regional needs and is recognised in its own right for its unique teaching strengths and research foci.

In 2011, Curtin Sarawak Research Institute (CSRI) was established at the campus to drive multi-disciplinary research focusing on the energy and biotechnology needs of the region.

The year 2011 also marked another important milestone for Curtin Sarawak as it saw the graduation of its first two PhD graduates in Chemical Engineering.

To further advance its research excellence, Curtin Sarawak is offering PhD scholarships in 2012 to academically bright, enthusiastic and motivated individuals wishing to pursue research leading to a PhD degree.

Up to six scholarships are being offered under the School of Engineering and Science in the areas of Applied Geology, Chemical Engineering, Civil & Construction Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Petroleum Engineering.

The School of Business, meanwhile, is offering up to three scholarships in the areas of Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Marketing, Small Business, Strategic Management, Technoentrepreneurship and Tourism.

A further six scholarships are being offered by CSRI covering the areas of Production of Hydrogen from Water, Sustainable Drilling, Quality of Rivers, Acoustics Signal Processing, Gasification/Pelletisation of Biomass, and Magnetohydrodynamics.

The scholarships, which are competitive and awarded based on academic merit, cover full tuition fees as well as a tax-free stipend of RM18,000 per year for a maximum of three years. All scholarship holders are required to engage in teaching-related activities within their schools to a maximum of 8 hours per week during the teaching semesters.

Both Malaysian and overseas applicants are eligible for the scholarships. For admission, applicants should have completed a Master by Research degree, or a Bachelor degree with First Class Honours (or an equivalent level of academic attainment).

Interested applicants are advised to contact the Associate Dean, Research Training or the Director, Curtin Sarawak Research Institute, by e-mail to zqzang@curtin.edu.my or aaron.goh@curtin.edu.my respectively, to discuss their proposed research. The deadline for applications is 2 March 2012.

For more information on Curtin Sarawak, visit its website at www.curtin.edu.my. Information on CSRI can be obtained by logging on to www.curtin.edu.my/csri/index.htm or contacting Professor Aaron Goh at CSRI@curtin.edu.my or +60 85 442 939 ext. 3966.

Academically bright, enthusiastic and motivated individuals wishing to pursue research leading to a PhD degree are encouraged to apply.