Get curious at Curtin Open Day 2010 this 18 September

Miri – 20 August 2010 – Want to turn your questions into answers? Want to know more about university education, or enjoy a day of fun and festivities at the Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) campus?

There will be something for everyone at Curtin Sarawak’s Curtin Open Day 2010 this coming 18 September 2010, whether you are a school leaver or mature age entrant who is interested to enrol in one of the university’s programmes, or would simply like to take the opportunity to visit the university campus, or perhaps bring the entire family along to enjoy a day of fun and festivities.

The event is open to all and admission is free. Attendance at last year’s Curtin Open Day was estimated at 3,000 and the organisers are looking to top that number this year.

According to organising chairman Nicholas Leong, who is also Curtin Sarawak’s corporate communications manager, Curtin Open Day is the occasion each year when Curtin Sarawak throws open its doors, inviting the local community to visit its campus and spend the day enjoying a variety of interesting activities in a truly festive and fun atmosphere.

He was speaking at a press conference to launch the media campaign for the event at the Eastwood Valley Golf & Country Club this morning. Also present were members of the Curtin Open Day 2010 organising committee comprising both professional and academic staff of the university, as well as representatives of its Student Council and student clubs.

“What’s more, visitors stand the chance to win attractive prizes in lucky draws, games and activities, and also get to take home a range of interesting giveaways,” Leong added.

He said this year’s Curtin Open Day, themed ‘Get Curious!’, will feature several new attractions. They include a Technology & Innovation Exhibition showcasing some of the newest, cutting edge and most interesting research across all areas of Curtin Sarawak as well as fun interactive games and activities.

In addition, there will be a Kite Festival sponsored by the Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) featuring kites of various types that will be part of the upcoming Borneo International Kite Festival in Bintulu. Visitors will get to see the spectacular kites in flight as well make and fly their own kites.

The event also carries a predominant environmental theme in support of Miri’s bid to become the first ‘green city’ in Malaysia, as well as to promote Curtin Sarawak’s ‘Go Green !’ environmental initiatives. The Miri City Council, which is actively working towards a greener Miri and the driving force behind the ‘green city’ campaign, is fully supporting the event.

In addition to incorporating an ‘Environmental Awareness Corner’ highlighting environmental projects and initiatives by government and non-governmental organisations in the city, the organisers are urging visitors to bring along the event’s promotional flyers and newspaper pages with the event advertisements to redeem their giveaways.

“We are giving away 3000 environment-friendly shopping bags with the event logo. Flyers will be mass-mailed to residences throughout Miri in the coming weeks and advertisements will appear in several local dailies. The flyers and newsprint will be sent for recycling later,” said Renee Foong, PR and publicity officer for the event.

She added that visitors are also encouraged to bring their own shopping bags and recyclable food containers to minimise the use of plastic bags and styrofoam containers on the day.

“Everyone can play a small part in saving the planet that day,” she remarked.

Foong said the annual Curtin Open Day is an opportunity for the university to show the people of Miri its sincere appreciation of their continued support, and give back to the community through charitable and community-based activities tied to the event.

They include a ‘Charity & Community Corner’ where charitable organisations will promote their causes, and community groups their arts and handicrafts. There will also be a blood donation campaign and free health checks.

To date, 15 organisations have confirmed their participation in the Charity & Community Corner, including the Miri Sunflower Centre, PIBAKIS, NASOM, PERYATIM, Agensi Anti Dadah, Columbia Asia Hospital, Human Life Service, Palliative Care Centre, Sarawak Cancer Society, Mental Health Association, Single Mothers’ Association, Sarawak Society for the Blind, Breast Cancer Welfare Association, Miri Blood Bank and the Malaysian Red Crescent Society.

Marketing Manager Liew Mei Yin, meanwhile, related that prospective students and their parents have always found the Curtin Open Day a great opportunity to meet Curtin Sarawak’s academicians, staff and students, and gain firsthand knowledge about its programmes and facilities.

Those interested to know more can visit the Future Students Booth during the event. Staff and students at the booth will provide tours of the campus facilities upon request.

Liew added that students from 15 secondary schools have been invited to attend. They will be provided transportation and refreshments, and each will receive exclusive giveaways.

Fifth formers can attend a free SPM Workshop themed ‘How To Be A Champion’ where a highly-experienced, award-winning Curtin Sarawak lecturer will help them develop crucial academic skills to face the upcoming SPM.

Other attractions will include food and beverage stalls operated by the university’s student clubs, hotels and food outlets; games and activity stalls; product displays and retail booths; live musical performances; dance and cultural performances; International Culture Exhibition, and a Beauty & Health Corner promoting beauty and healthcare products.

A huge draw for children will be the Kiddies’ Corner where there will be host of activities for the young ones, including games, sand art, fan colouring, face-painting, a colouring competition, bouncy castle, animal petting zoo, and cartoon character mascots.

Activities at the main stage organised by the Student Council will include performances by the university’s Music Club, live bands, children’s and cultural groups; a Mr & Miss Curtin pageant, student talent shows and hairstyling show.

Corporate sponsors for the event so far number about 20 and the list continues to grow. Among them are Anjung Internet Jaring, Bintulu Development Authority, CPA Australia, Eastwood Valley Golf & Country Club, Grand Palace Hotel, Mandara Spa, Miri Marriott Resort & Spa, Mega Hotel, Modern Scientific, New World Advertising Company, ParkCity Everly Hotel Miri, REDTONE-CNX Broadband, Saratim Insurance Agency Services, Sarawak Information Systems, Total Water, Typhoon Digital Imaging, and United Consultants. Media partners for the event are The Star, The Borneo Post and the United Daily News.

For more information on Curtin Open Day 2010, visit the event website at www.curtin.edu.my/curtinopenday2010, or call 085-443939.

Nicholas Leong (4th from right) and members of the event organising committee displaying posters and flyers for Curtin Open Day 2010.

 
Scenes from last year’s Curtin Open Day.