Curtin Sarawak recognises outstanding and long-serving staff

Miri – 16 October 2013 – Ten staff of Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) were recognised for outstanding contributions to the enhancement of the university’s operations in line with its commitment to excellence and innovation, and another 66 for serving between five and ten years with the university, at its recent inaugural Curtin Awards Dinner held at the Meritz Hotel here.

In his speech to the awardees, Curtin Sarawak Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Professor Jim Mienczakowski said the event was a very important occasion that allowed the university to acknowledge the contributions of long-serving faculty and professional staff and of high performing teams within its administration. He also said it was an opportunity to reflect upon Curtin Sarawak’s growth and the staff’s important role in keeping it moving forward.

“I believe that, as Curtin Sarawak has been here for 14 years, and indeed has achieved many milestones in that time, it is only fitting that we acknowledge the contributions of our staff through an awards dinner like this,” he said.

Of the 66 staff receiving Long Service Awards, 34 have been with the university for 5 years and 32 for 10 years.

Receiving Outstanding Professional Awards were Stephanie Kuan of the Financial Services Department, Chin Li Yen the University Life Department and Mary Pudun of the General Administration Department in the category for individuals.

The Outstanding Professional Awards were awarded based on the awardees’ focus on clients, contributions to improving organisational performance, demonstration of leadership, interaction with colleagues to improve the workplace, and provision of innovative solutions.

In the team category, meanwhile, the John Curtin Leadership Academy (JCLA) / Leadership and Entrepreneurship Centre (LEC) Administration Team comprising University Life Manager Haslina Malek, Anita Drahman and Bryan Robson Bala was awarded for spearheading the JCLA programme, Curtin’s flagship leadership and entrepreneurship development programme for students, since 2008.

Besides organising campaigns, workshops, modules delivery and project mentoring to raise awareness of leadership and entrepreneurship among students, the team established and delivered other mini leadership programmes to introduce the concept of leadership and entrepreneurship and broaden their reach to students.

The Housing Services Team comprising Senior Housing Officer Chin Li Yen, Suoh Iron, Daniel Thomas, Robin Nunong and Radzlan Rasit won a similar award for the introduction of a one-stop online booking system to facilitate housing booking, payment and complaints. This resulted in an excellent result in last year’s Curtin Annual Satisfaction Survey (CASS) where students express their satisfaction in the housing service and standard.

The team was also responsible for managing major renovation work at the on-campus accommodations which also resulted in higher satisfaction among students.

A third award was won by the ICT Application Team comprising Jessie Gee and Tay Miaw Lang. The duo developed a housing online booking system which serves as a centralised data solution in the Housing Services Department to process housing applications more efficiently. It has led to more efficient housing services operations and provides students a significantly enhanced and comprehensive booking experience.

Professor Mienczakowski addressing the awardees.

Mary Pudun receiving her award from Professor Mienczakowski while Chief Operating Officer Nicholas Ching looks on.

Haslina Malek receiving award for the JCLA/LEC Administration Team.

Chin Li Yen receiving award for the Housing Services Team.

Jessie Gee receiving her team award from Professor Mienczakowski.