Curtin Sarawak promoting its latest undergraduate and postgraduate courses

Miri – 26 April 2011 – With the coming of its second semester of the year, Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) is actively promoting its latest undergraduate and postgraduate courses to potential students.

The courses comprise the Bachelor of Arts (Borneo Studies) and Master of Science (Project Management) introduced last year, and the Master of Policy Sciences, Master of Engineering Science (Electrical Engineering) and Master of Engineering Management to be introduced in the new semester. Enrolments for all the courses are now open until 20 May 2011.

Bachelor of Arts (Borneo Studies)

For the past one year, Curtin Sarawak has been offering a Borneo Studies major in its commitment to helping preserve Borneo’s historical and socio-cultural heritage and promoting an informed understanding of the diverse regions of Borneo. The course is unique to Curtin Sarawak as it is the only Curtin campus offering the course and the curriculum and course materials were largely developed here in Sarawak.

The course is offered as a major under the university’s Bachelor of Arts programme and delves into various areas of study, including culture, history, linguistics, politics, economics, environment, natural resources, sustainable development and indigenous issues.

It is available on a full-time basis and students can finish the degree in a minimum of three years (six semesters). There are two intakes each year – in March and July.

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to choose career paths in the civil service, media, education, human rights commissions, as well as non-governmental and welfare organisations.

Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Master of Science (Project Management)

Curtin Sarawak also offers a postgraduate Project Management programme leading to a Master of Science (Project Management) degree. It includes Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma courses prior to attainment of the Master of Science.

Identical in all aspects to the project management courses offered at Curtin’s main campus in Perth, the courses take a generic approach to project management, ensuring its applicability in a variety of sectors, including construction, engineering, education, health, commerce, information technology and research and development. In addition, they are endorsed by the Australian Institute of Project Management and accredited by the US Project Management Institute.

The programme consists of 10 units plus an end-of-programme project which can be completed over 18 months of full-time study or the equivalent part-time. Entry requirements include an appropriate bachelors degree from a recognised tertiary institution and a minimum of two years relevant work experience.

Intakes for the programme are in February and July and all units are conducted on a part-time basis in the evenings or weekends. Besides its campus in Miri, Curtin Sarawak offers the programme in Kuching in collaboration with the Centre for Modern Management (CMM).

Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Master of Policy Sciences

Similarly, the new policy sciences programme offers three levels of study – Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma and Masters. Though initially developed at Curtin’s main campus in Perth, this programme has been custom-designed to suit the local public sector with course content largely localised, yet maintaining an international perspective.

The programme allows students to acquire a foundation in the core areas of policy analysis and management in the public sector, and develop a framework which emphasises policy formulation, implementation and evaluation within the public sector.

It is taught by teaching staff with extensive experience in policy sciences and offers considerable flexibility for students with part-time classes conducted on weekends with minimal interruption to work.

Professionals who hold an appropriate Bachelors degree from a recognised tertiary institution are encouraged to apply and applications for recognition of prior learning can be considered on an individual basis.

The Graduate Certificate course runs for two semesters, the Graduate Diploma course for four semesters, and the Masters course six semesters. There are three intakes a year – in January, May and August. Like the Project Management programme, it is also offered at the Centre for Modern Management in Kuching.

Master of Engineering Science (Electrical Engineering)

Electrical engineers who plan to specialise in particular areas ought to consider enrolling in the new Master of Engineering Science (Electrical Engineering) course. Well designed and fully accredited, the course is relevant to industry with theory, computer simulation and practical components.

Students undertake coursework units chosen to suit their present and future professional needs and will also be required to complete a major project which involves investigation, research, critical evaluation, analysis, design and prototype developing. Upon completion of the project, they will prepare and present a formal thesis relating to the project’s development and outcomes.

Entry to the one-year, full-time programme requires a Bachelor of Engineering degree with honours. However, consideration will be given to those without honours but they may be required to complete a qualifying programme which will extend the duration of the course. Intakes for the course are in February or July.

Master of Engineering Management

The Master of Engineering Management course, meanwhile, is suitable for those who want to deepen their understanding of the management, business and commercial aspects of engineering. It provides a balance between engineering and business skills and is jointly taught by the Engineering Faculty and the Curtin Business School in a format that integrates the functions and skills needed by engineers in management.

The course consists of 25 credit point units in addition to a 50 credit point engineering management project. It is structured such that it can be completed in 12 months of full-time study or over a minimum period of 24 months part-time.

Entry to the course is with a Bachelor of Engineering degree or an equivalent qualification in a recognised discipline of engineering with a high aggregate, preferably with at least one year of relevant work experience. Applications for recognition of prior learning are assessed on an individual basis.

For more information on all the courses, visit www.curtin.edu.my, call Curtin Sarawak’s Student Recruitment Department at +60 85 443939 or e-mail enquiries@curtin.edu.my.