Foundation programmes a critical stepping stone to tertiary study

It is highly recommended that students completing their secondary school studies up to SPM level and thinking of enrolling at a top foreign university campus like Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) enter either of its foundation programmes.

It could prove a critical stepping stone to tertiary study not only at the Curtin Sarawak campus, which is Curtin University’s largest international campus, but also Curtin’s main campus in Perth or any of Curtin University’s other campuses in the region.

Curtin Sarawak’s foundation programmes comprise one-year (two semesters) courses: Foundation Studies – Commerce and Arts Stream and Foundation Studies – Engineering and Science Stream under its School of Business and School of Engineering and Science respectively.

According to Professor Dr. Ir. Yudi Samyudia, Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor of Curtin Sarawak, the foundation programmes are intensive, focused programmes that enable students to adapt easily to the Curtin academic system. They also guarantee them entry to Curtin’s undergraduate programmes upon successful completion.

“The programmes challenge the students to become active learners who can acquire, interpret, communicate and apply knowledge within and across disciplines to cultivate the integrative thinking required in a complex and rapidly changing world,” said Professor Samyudia.

Professor Dr. Ir. Yudi Samyudia

Low student-lecturer ratios in classrooms mean the students enjoy a friendly study environment with individual attention and pastoral care. All the academic staff in the foundation programmes are highly qualified and dedicated to ensuring their students get the most out of their programmes.

In addition, modern, diversified teaching methods are applied, which include workshops, introduction to research methods, modern laboratory projects, group projects, oral and multimedia presentations.

Students enjoy advanced technological support such as a modern library, well-equipped laboratories, ample supplies of learning materials, Internet access, and access to online resources at Curtin’s main campus in Perth, Western Australia.

The courses are aimed at developing academic diligence, critical analysis, and a raft of generic skills in students. They provide a solid foundation for the students to adapt to university education more confidently, both in terms of level and style of education. Both courses are recognised by the Ministry of Higher Education and the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA).

The Foundation Studies – Commerce and Arts Stream (KA5811) prepares students for undergraduate study in Arts, Commerce and Social Sciences. It has two streams and several units that are common to all foundation courses such as effective communication skills and writing and research skills.

In the Commerce stream, students study units in commerce mathematics, information technology, economics, accounting and business management. In the Arts and Media stream, they study units in media and communication, journalism, 20th Century world history, screen production, visual culture and information technology.

Students who pass all subjects in the programme can enter degree programmes at Curtin Sarawak such as the Bachelor of Business Administration; Bachelor of Commerce (majoring in Accounting & Finance, Banking & Finance, Finance & Management, Management & Marketing, Marketing & Public Relations, Public Relations & Management; or Tourism Hospitality & Event Management and Marketing); Bachelor of Arts (Mass Communication), and Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting).

Meanwhile, the Foundation Studies – Engineering and Science Stream (KA5812) prepares students for undergraduate study in Engineering and Science, Computing and Information Technology. In addition to several units that are common to all foundation courses, students study units in engineering mathematics, physics and chemistry and programming in C++.

Students who obtain satisfactory results can enroll in a number of degree programmes at Curtin Sarawak, including the Bachelor of Engineering (majoring in Chemical, Petroleum, Civil & Construction, Computer Systems, Electrical Power, Electronic & Communication, Mechanical, or Mechatronic Engineering); Bachelor of Technology (Computer Systems & Networking); Bachelor of Science (Applied Geology); Bachelor of Business Administration; Bachelor of Arts (Mass Communication), and Bachelor of Commerce.

In addition to undergraduate courses at Curtin Sarawak, students who obtain satisfactory results are also eligible for admission to a range of undergraduate courses offered at the main campus.

Kamaroizan Mohamad

According to Kamaroizan Mohamad, Head of the Science and Foundation Department at Curtin Sarawak’s School of Engineering and Science, the foundation programmes at Curtin Sarawak potentially bridge the gap between students’ existing knowledge as fresh school leavers and the academic expectations of the undergraduate programmes.

“Programme learning resources and contents are continuously reviewed to ensure that the programmes remain up-to-date with the needs of tertiary level education and also to remain competitive with other similar programmes and standards of academic qualifications such as Cambridge A-Level,” Kamaroizan said.

Crystal Lau

Crystal Lau, Head of the Foundation Studies Department at the School of Business, meanwhile, said the foundation programmes are all about transitioning to the university system.

“Transition always involves changing, and changing is very important in our lives since the world is changing every day. If we don’t change, we won’t be able to survive the changing world. Thus, it’s important to learn about transition since it may help us prepare ourselves to adapt to a new environment,” she said.

Lau remarked that students newly enrolled in universities must adjust to the new styles of teaching and learning. Engaging learning is always encouraged at Curtin Sarawak and students are expected to ‘do’ rather than sit for long periods in the classroom simply listening to lectures.

She said that, in the traditional classroom, students listen passively, take notes and absorb whatever is taught. They also tend to memorise information for assessments and focus on marks. However, according to Lau, it is not an effective learning strategy. Lecturers at Curtin Sarawak focus instead on work-integrated learning, meaning they bring the real world into the classroom.

The students engage in real-world learning activities such as team projects, role plays, case studies, problem solving, lab work and oral presentations. Apart from traditional face-to-face learning in the classroom, their learning is supplemented by e-Learning, audio-visual and print resources.

Applicants to the two programmes are required to meet the university’s minimum level of entry and, in addition to their academic results, they must demonstrate competence in English by meeting the Curtin English Language requirement. For full details of entry requirements, log onto www.curtin.edu.my/sch_dept/pre_university/Foundation/admission_req.htm. Credit towards a Curtin qualification may be granted to applicants with qualifications from other accredited educational institutions.

Furthermore, students enrolling in the programmes have to take the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) compulsory subjects as required under the Malaysian Private Higher Educational Institutions Act 1996 (Act 555) as a prerequisite to the award of a certificate, diploma or degree.

For students entering Curtin Sarawak in the first semester, these subjects can be taken along with ‘Essentially Curtin’ academic skills modules during the ‘Curtin Summer Intake’ between January and February each year. This special short intake, which is during the university’s year-end break prior to the start of the first semester in March, saves the students the trouble of taking the subjects on top of their normal studies later.

According to Professor Samyudia, Curtin Sarawak has successfully prepared hundreds of students for undergraduate study since its establishment in 1999.

“Many have graduated and are pursuing lucrative careers in business and industry. Indeed, Curtin’s programmes present wide-ranging career opportunities and Curtin graduates are highly sought after all over the world,” said Professor Samyudia.

As Curtin University’s first and largest international campus, Curtin Sarawak offers the same qualifications as the main campus. Its students experience the same standards of teaching and learning that are highly prized by graduates and respected by industries worldwide. Furthermore, many of Curtin’s programmes are highly ranked in the world and accredited by national and international professional bodies.

The Curtin Sarawak campus

“At Curtin Sarawak, we have attracted students from across Malaysia and internationally because of the international recognition our programmes enjoy. As a result, we offer a unique international and cross-cultural environment with students and staff from more than 40 countries,” remarked Professor Samyudia.

He added that Curtin Sarawak is committed to providing a high quality educational experience and preparing students to live and work in a global environment, and continues to invest in innovative teaching and research methods, up-to-date facilities and a myriad of academic services to help its students achieve their goals.