Curtin Sarawak students attend IEEE Leadership Camp

Miri – 16 April 2013 – Two students of Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) recently represented their varsity’s Institution of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Student Branch at a leadership camp organised by IEEE Malaysia Section in Kuala Lumpur.

The students were third-year electrical power engineering student and IEEE Student Branch chairperson Esther Ling, and third-year electronics and communications engineering student and IEEE Student Branch secretary Saaveethya Sivakumar, who also happened to be the only representatives from Sarawak at the camp.

The objective of the camp was to bring together representatives from student branches and technical chapters of the IEEE within Malaysia to encourage networking and exchange of ideas. It was also attended by representatives from Monash University, Nottingham University, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universti Malaysia Sabah, Universiti Teknologi Mara, Universiti Teknologi Petronas, International Islamic University Malaysia, Universiti Malaya and Multimedia University.

During the camp, a student representative and student representative elect were elected to represent all students in IEEE Student Branches across Malaysia. Saleh Javadi, outgoing chair of UKM Student Branch was elected as this year’s representative, while Ling was elected as next year’s representative. Both students will be representing Malaysia’s IEEE student ambassadors at the IEEE Conference to be held this July in Hyderabad, India.

In addition, the Curtin Sarawak students had the opportunity to share their experiences and the events organised by their student branch. According to Ling, the IEEE Student Branch of Curtin Sarawak aims to inspire engineering students to reach their full potential in line with IEEE’s motto of ‘Advancing Technology for Humanity’ and regularly organises site visits, technical talks, competitions and social activities for its members.

She added that being the only IEEE student branch in Sarawak does pose a minor challenge in that it is difficult for its members to participate in activities organised by student branches in West Malaysia due to the distance and costs involved.

However, to bridge the gap between the two regions, the IEEE Student Branch of Curtin Sarawak and Engineering for Medicine and Biology (EMB) Malaysia Chapter are co-organising a national-level exhibition at the Curtin Sarawak campus from 22 to 23 August 2013. It will be open to all IEEE student branches nationwide, as well as students of all universities in Malaysia, and will feature engineering projects by students as well as awards in different categories.

The head of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at Curtin Sarawak, Associate Professor Dr. Ashutosh Kumar Singh, thanked Ling and Saaveethya for representing the department at the camp.

“I would also like to congratulate Ling on her appointment. The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering always encourages its students to take the part in national and international competitions and to organise workshops and camps to develop their soft skills,” said Associate Professor Ashutosh.

For more information on the IEEE Student Branch of Curtin Sarawak, e-mail ieee.curtinsarawak@gmail.com or visit its website at ewh.ieee.org/sb/malaysia/curtinsarawak. One can also visit its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CurtinSarawak.IEEE.

Ling (seated right) and Saaveethya (standing, 5th right) posing for a group photo with other camp participants.

Ling and Saaveethya discussing ideas with other student representatives