Four Curtin Malaysia academics earn top honours at Curtin Excellence and Innovation in Teaching Awards 2026

Miri, Sarawak – 11 November 2026 – Four academics from Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) have earned prestigious recognition at the Curtin Excellence and Innovation in Teaching Awards 2026, highlighting the campus’s growing contribution to teaching excellence, educational innovation and transformative student learning across Curtin University’s global network.

The four award recipients are Associate Professor Dr. Joseph Sia from the Faculty of Business, who received the Teaching Excellence: University Associate Award; Dr. Fayrene Chieng Yew Leh, also from the Faculty of Business, who received the Award for Outstanding Contribution to Learning and Teaching – Individual, Global Category; Dr. Noraisikin Sabani from the Faculty of Humanities and Health Sciences, who received the Award for Teaching Excellence for Global Staff; and Professor Tang Fu Ee, Dean of Learning and Teaching, who was honoured with the Learning and Teaching Distinguished Service Award.

Announced on 3 November, the awards recognise outstanding contributions to teaching excellence, student learning and educational innovation across Curtin’s campuses and global academic network.

Each recipient was recognised for a distinct contribution to enhancing the educational experience and preparing students to become capable, engaged and socially responsible graduates.

Associate Professor Dr. Sia was recognised for his dedication to improving the student experience through innovative teaching strategies and student-centred pedagogical approaches. His work focuses on fostering meaningful student engagement, strengthening learning outcomes and creating an environment that encourages academic achievement.
“To me, teaching is not merely delivery of content, but rather a continual journey of creating meaningful learning experiences that inspire students to think critically and realise their potential. The recognition motivates me to continue exploring innovative and student-centred approaches that make learning more relevant and impactful,” Dr. Sia remarked.

Dr. Chieng was honoured for her significant contributions to work-integrated learning (WiL), particularly her role in establishing the Faculty of Business’ WiL Hub. The initiative has broadened opportunities for students to gain practical, industry-relevant experience, bridge the gap between academic learning and professional practice, and build stronger connections with the workplace.

Reflecting on the recognition, Dr. Chieng said, “I’m deeply honoured by this recognition. It reinforces my belief that students learn best when they have opportunities to apply what they learn in the classroom to real workplace settings. Seeing students grow in confidence and develop skills that prepare them for their future careers is incredibly rewarding.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Noraisikin received recognition for her pioneering work in personalised learning, digital inclusion and community engagement, particularly in supporting underprivileged groups. Through meaningful, experience-based learning opportunities, she encourages students to apply their knowledge beyond the classroom, engage with real-world challenges and develop a stronger sense of empathy and social responsibility.

Reflecting on her achievement, Dr. Noraisikin said the award affirmed her belief that education should extend beyond conventional classroom learning and empower students to make a meaningful difference in society.

“To me, this award represents the belief that meaningful education extends beyond the classroom, where students discover their ability to make a difference, however small, through authentic experiences, guided independence and community engagement. It is also a recognition of the collective efforts of students, educators, mentors and community partners who continue to learn, grow and make a difference together,” she said.

Completing the list of recipients, Professor Tang was recognised for his longstanding leadership and distinguished contributions to advancing teaching excellence and strengthening educational quality across Curtin University.

Commenting on the significance of the achievements, Professor Tang said the recognition reflected the collective commitment of Curtin Malaysia’s academic community to delivering an enriching and future-focused educational experience.

“These achievements are a testament to the exceptional quality of learning and teaching at Curtin Malaysia. They reflect the collective talent, passion and dedication of our academic community in delivering an outstanding educational experience and shaping the next generation of graduates,” he said.

Curtin Malaysia’s leadership also congratulated the four recipients, noting that their achievements reflected the university’s sustained commitment to high-quality education, innovative teaching practices and student success.

The recognition reinforces Curtin Malaysia’s role in contributing to teaching excellence across Curtin’s global network while highlighting the importance of innovative, inclusive and industry-connected approaches to higher education.

Through its commitment to meaningful learning experiences, industry collaboration and community engagement, Curtin Malaysia continues to equip students with the knowledge, skills and practical experience to navigate an increasingly complex and interconnected world.

For more information on Curtin Malaysia, visit curtin.edu.my or follow Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn or TikTok.

From left Dr. Joseph Sia, Dr. Fayrene Chieng, Dr. Noraisikin and Professor Tang Fu Yee, recipients of prestigious learning and teaching awards from Curtin University.