Curtin Sarawak Open Day sees an ever-increasing number of visitors

Miri – 26 September 2013 – A record 7,412 visitors thronged the campus of Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) for its seventh Curtin Sarawak Open Day recently, up from 6,130 last year.

Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Jim Mienczakowski said it was an excellent response to the university’s call for community interest and support. He attributed the event’s success to the contributions of Curtin Sarawak’s staff and students, government and corporate sector supporters, and local community groups.

Curtin Sarawak Open Day 2013, with the theme ‘Make A Change Today and Make Tomorrow Better’, featured both familiar and new activities.

The Innovation Expo, a perennial favourite, showcased the activities and achievements of the university’s three schools as well as its multi-disciplinary Curtin Sarawak Research Institute. Academic clubs affiliated to the schools were also featured.

The PVC’s Innovation Showcase Challenge Competition tied to the exposition, in which the three schools competed for a challenge trophy and cash prizes for Best Overall Exhibition, Best Community Outreach Award, Best Presenters Award and Best Teamwork Award, saw the School of Continuing Studies sweeping all four prizes.

Another popular feature was the Future Students Booth where potential students and their parents got to meet student recruitment staff and learn more about the various aspects of the university, from its academic programmes to facilities and campus life.

Other academic-related activities included the Student Support Showcase featuring student organisations that provide Curtin Sarawak’s students opportunities for self-growth in areas related to entrepreneurship, leadership and professional development such as the John Curtin Leadership Academy, AIESEC, Mini United Nations Curtin Sarawak and Curtin Volunteers!.

In addition, there were public talks by academics and industry professionals which attracted large numbers of students, including some 300 from local secondary schools.

Lending an air of festivity were over 60 food and beverage, retail and activity stalls operated by student clubs and local businesses. A number were run by NGOs and government agencies as part of the Charity & Community Corner, which included a showcase of Miri City Council’s Local Agenda 21 programme, free health checks and a mobile dental clinic.

The Newspaper Bag Design & Break Competition sponsored by the Miri City Council saw 65 participants competing to see whose paper bag made from old newspapers could withstand the greatest weight. Jason Ha Hen Teck whose 80gm bag withstood a weight of 53.7kg emerged the winner, followed by Thien Chee Shen who achieved 49.3kg with a 90gm bag, and Ng Vui Ling whose 30gm bag withstood 43.7kg.

Meanwhile, the Curtin Sarawak Fishing Competition at the campus’ large man-made lake saw Salleh Matali winning the prize for ‘Fastest Catch’ while Rasaie bagged the ‘Biggest Catch’ prize.

Yet another new feature was the Melanau Tibou Showcase, a collaboration between the Curtin Sarawak Student Council and the Miri Melanau Association, which saw hundreds of visitors flocking to try the 30-foot high Tibou erected by members of the association.

At the university’s football field, the 2-day John Curtin Ultimate Frisbee Tournament was participated by seven teams from Miri, Brunei, Sibu and Bintulu, including Curtin Sarawak’s own ultimate frisbee team.

In addition, some 300 children delighted in a variety of fun activities, including a colouring competition, telematch and spelling bee, at the popular Kiddies Corner.

However, it was the event’s main stage where stage performances and the finals of the ‘Miri’s Got Talent 3’ and ‘Mr & Miss Curtin’ contests were held that drew the largest crowds. Winner of the ‘Miri’s Got Talent’ contest was Alfred Kho, followed by Galvin Ugap in second place and a duo calling themselves ‘Little Big Teens’ in third place. Winners of the Mr & Miss Curtin crowns were Gabriel Poon and Glenda Ruran respectively.

Curtin Sarawak Open Day 2013 was launched by Curtin Sarawak Council chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr. George Chan. Also present were the mayor of Miri, Lawrence Lai; members of Curtin Sarawak’s campus council, board of directors and management board; and management staff of the university.

In his opening speech, Chan remarked that Curtin Sarawak, with a student population of over 3,500, is maturing as a campus and becoming more autonomous, as appropriate to its size and evidenced by the formal support by discipline accrediting bodies within Malaysia and abroad.

He added that it has become a leading centre of innovative learning and scholarly research in Malaysia, for which he congratulated Curtin Sarawak’s management and staff for their hard work and dedication in creating a campus of world-class standard and providing quality courses of quality relevant to the needs of the country.

“Through your efforts, Curtin Sarawak has definitely proven its worth, and it has furthermore demonstrated its value. Indeed, students in Sarawak seeking a world-class higher education needn’t look further than Curtin Sarawak,” he commented.

Professor Jim Mienczakowski giving his welcoming speech.

Brisk business at one of the food stalls.

Students entertaining customers.

Large crowds thronging the event.

Scene at a section of the stalls.

Students at Innovation Expo.

Public talk in the university’s new auditorium.

Foreign students playing their part.

The Melanau Tibou, one of the biggest attractions.

Large audience at the main stage.