Curtin Sarawak Open Day Committee donates to nine charities

Miri – 10 December 2013 – The organising committee of the annual open day of Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) recently donated RM16,200 to nine charities that participated in the seventh Curtin Sarawak Open Day on 14 September 2013.

The amount included the proceeds from the event’s raffle ticket sales and fund-raising drives by students and staff during the event.

Cheques for RM1,800 each were presented to the charities at an appreciation luncheon at the Curtin Sarawak campus for over 80 staff and students of the university who were involved in organising this year’s event, which proved to be its largest ever.

The charities were the MRCS Sunflower Centre, Mental Health Association of Sarawak, National Autism Society of Malaysia, Human Life Service, Palliative Care Association Miri, Sarawak Children’s Cancer Society, Piasau Animal Welfare Support (PAWS), Sarawak Family Planning Association and Kompleks Kebajikan Hamidah Miri (PERYATIM). They participated in the Charity & Community Corner, a perennial feature of the Curtin Sarawak Open Day.

The Curtin Sarawak Open Day Committee is a standing committee of the university comprising staff from all areas of the university and its student council. Each year, the committee is supported by over 100 staff and student volunteers in organising the event.

In his welcoming speech during the luncheon, Curtin Sarawak’s Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Jim Mienczakowski attributed the outstanding success of Curtin Sarawak Open Day 2013 to the efforts of the committee, staff and students, as well as the event sponsors, participating local businesses and community groups.

“A record 7,412 visitors attended this year’s Open Day. It was an excellent response to our call for community interest and support,” he remarked.

He thanked the charities for their support and participation, adding that open days are extremely important community gatherings for the university. He also commented that he looked forward to next year’s event, which will be held in conjunction with Curtin Sarawak’s fifteenth year anniversary.

Professor Mienczakowski presenting mock cheque to Dato Ursula Goh who represented the Sarawak Family Planning Association.

Richard Wong of Palliative Care Association Miri receiving cheque from Professor Mienczakowski.

Professor Mienczakowski (centre, middle row), committee members, staff and students and representatives of charities posing for a group photo.