Event specialist shares expertise with Curtin Tourism & Event Management students

Miri – 26 June 2019 – The Department of Marketing in the Faculty of Business of Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) recently invited a leading business event specialist, Donny Tan from Sarawak Convention Bureau (SCB), to share his expertise and experiences with its Tourism and Event Management students.

The talk was part of the Department of Marketing’s efforts at giving its students opportunities to learn from and network with industry professionals and ensure they are industry-connected and career-capable upon graduation.

Tan outlined the roles of SCB in facilitating the organisation, development and marketing of conventions, conferences and corporate events in Sarawak, elaborating on how it explores and uncovers business event opportunities that can enhance the development of Sarawak.

He illustrated how SCB draws business opportunities to Sarawak shores through bidding and supporting meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions hosted by associations, corporate organisations and government bodies.

Head of the Department of Marketing and unit lecturer Dr. Fidella Tiew remarked that the talk was highly beneficial to the students as the content was very relevant to what they are learning in their course. She said it was very well received by them and there was a lot interaction and discourse between the students and Tan throughout the talk.

The students were also given the opportunity to brainstorm and work on a site inspection activity, contemporary case studies analysis, and a presentation of industry data.

“As the demand for career-capable graduates is increasing, students’ understanding of their chosen industries through interactions with professionals is important. Industry insight and exposure will be an added advantage to them in their future careers, and enhance their marketability when seeking employment,” said Dr. Tiew.

She added that such knowledge and skills, coupled with exceptional graduate attributes and high ethical and moral standards, are always valued by industry, government and community.

She said Curtin strives to ensure its graduates are culturally competent, innovative, creative and entrepreneurial; globally engaged and responsive; effective communicators with digital competence; industry-connected and career-capable. These attributes are instilled throughout their studies so that they are highly competent and job-ready when they graduate.

Tan and Dr Tiew (seated 3rd and 4th left) and senior marketing lecturer Dr Samuel Folorunso Adeyinka-Ojo (seated 2nd left) with the students.