Fueling Sarawak’s Green Vision: Curtin Malaysia launches new Energy Engineering and Mechatronic Engineering programmes

Miri – 19 January 2024 – Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) recently unveiled Curtin’s  new Bachelor of Engineering degrees in Energy Engineering and Mechatronic Engineering, aligning with Sarawak’s green energy goals and global technological trends.

Sarawak Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni officiated the soft launching of the new programmes on 17 January 2024 in conjunction with the opening of the International Conference on Green Energy, Computing and Sustainable Technology (GECOST) 2024 hosted by Curtin Malaysia’s Faculty of Engineering and Science in collaboration with various industry and education partners.

The event also the deputy minister witnessing the signing of a landmark collaborative Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for wide-ranging collaboration in academia, research, alumni engagement, exchange programs, start-up incubation, scholarships and more between Curtin Malaysia and Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB). Signing on behalf of Curtin Malaysia and SEB respectively were Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof. Vincent Lee Chieng Chen and SEB’s Chief Digital Officer, Information & Communication Technology Sim Ko Sin.

“Before we embark on any green energy initiative, we need to prepare our manpower by equipping them with enough knowledge and specialisations to work in our Carbon Capture, Use and Storage (CCUS) plants, which include hydrogen, hydro, floating solar, microalgae, and biofuel facilities,” Datuk Dr Hazland remarked in his keynote speech.

“With the new Energy Engineering programme, we can provide the needed expertise and manpower to develop this industry in the future.”

Datuk Dr Hazland also highlighted Sarawak’s progress under Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, saying that Sarawak is fully committed to mitigating climate change through various innovative initiatives that are setting the stage for making Sarawak a regional powerhouse for green technologies.

“This is what Sarawak is heading towards. Sarawak is blessed with a lot natural resource and has made the important decision, backed by the vision and strong commitment of the Premier, to not only to contribute to environment change mitigation but also generate new income, fostering a new high-income economy, and improve the livelihoods of our people.”

Earlier, Curtin Malaysia’s Pro Vice-Chancellor, President and Chief Executive Prof. Simon Leunig in his GECOST 2024 opening speech delivered by Prof. Lee emphasised that rapid techno-industrial growth and changing lifestyles requiring greater energy usage globally, a situation exacerbated by the continued depletion of natural resources and high carbon emissions, calls for new approaches to meeting the ever-growing demand for energy.

Therefore, he said, experts, engineers and researchers in academia, research centres and industry worldwide need to come together to deliberate at conferences like GECOST 2024, to share ideas, collaborate to secure green and clean energy sources, and create more reliable, efficient and sustainable energy technologies for the 21st century.

On the two new programmes, Prof. Leunig said he was proud that they have received provisional accreditation from the Engineering Accreditation Council (EAC) of Malaysia, making them  as industry-recognised engineering degrees and underscoring their significance to engineering education in Malaysia and Curtin Malaysia’s commitment to advancing education and research in fields crucial for a sustainable future.

On the conference, he congratulated the Faculty of Engineering and Science and the conference organising committee led by organising chair Prof. Garenth Lim King Hann for orchestrating the conference with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Power and Energy Society Malaysia Chapter and The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM).

In addition, he thanked the Ministry of Energy and Environmental Sustainability Sarawak (MEESTy) and Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) for their significant support to the conference.

Prof. Leunig added that the diverse lineup of participating institutions, including Taylors University, Combatore Institute of Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn, Velore Institute of Technology, Xian Jiaotong-Liverpool University, and Universiti Teknologi Brunei, demonstrated the conference’s potential to spark groundbreaking collaborations and ignite solutions to pressing global challenges.

Also present at the opening ceremony were Curtin Malaysia’s Dean of Research and Development John Curtin Distinguished Professor Ramasamy Nagarajan; Dean of Learning and Teaching Prof. Tang Fu Ee, Dean of Faculty of Engineering and Science Prof. Tuong-Thuy Vu, Associate Dean of External Engagement, Faculty of Engineering and Science Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Lim Chye Ing; Head of Department of Chemical and Energy Engineering Prof. Ir. Stephanie Chan Yen San, Head of Department of Mechanical Engineering Assoc. Prof. Mohan Moola Reddy; Head of the School of Civil and Mechanical Engineering at Curtin Perth Prof. Jonathan Paxman; SEB’s General Manager, Research & Development Dr. Ng Sing Muk, Talent Acquisition Manager Sim Swee Ling, and Co-lead for SEB’s Curtin Campus Ambassador Programme Meredith En Kho; and Chairlady of the IEM Miri Branch Ir. Chong Boon Hui.

For additional information about Curtin Malaysia, visit curtin.edu.my or find Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, or TikTok.

Datuk Dr Hazland addressing the conference delegates

Sim Ko Sin (3rd left) and Prof Vincent Lee (3rd right) exchange documents following the MoU signing.

(Front row, L-R) Prof Garenth Lim, Prof Vincent Lee, Datuk Dr Hazland, Sim Ko Sin and Prof Tuong-Thuy Vu with conference delegates.