Good response to Curtin Sarawak’s January Intake Programme

Miri – 1 February 2010 – Curtin Sarawak’s January Intake Programme, which is being offered for the first time, has seen a significant number of SPM and STPM school leavers, as well as current students of the university, enrolled since  enrolment commenced early last month.

57 new students are now studying two compulsory subjects (Malaysian Studies and Islamic/Moral Studies) required for entry into, or completion of, tertiary studies by the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE), which will be followed by an ‘Essentially Curtin’ module.

The five-week short-semester programme, which commenced on 11 January and will end on 12 February 2010, gives new students a head start on their tertiary education at Curtin Sarawak while current students get the opportunity to complete the MoHE subjects during the current semester break rather than later in the year.

According to Student Recruitment Manager Liew Mei Yin, the programme was offered in response to numerous requests from parents to offer a short semester programme early in the year to allow students to start with the prerequisite MoHE subjects even before they have received their SPM or STPM results. It also gives the students the opportunity to acquaint themselves with life at the university, particularly use of the learning facilities and the overall learning environment.

“Initially, we planned a cohort of only 20 new students, but due to the overwhelming response, it was expanded it to more than double the number. All the new students are progressing very well and a number have already signed up for our foundation programmes in the new semester,” said Liew.

Beena Giridharan, Dean of the School of Foundation and Continuing Studies, which is conducting the programme, said, “Our School is delighted to welcome the new intake of 57 students to its foundation programmes. The intake allows new students to familiarise themselves with a tertiary study learning environment where they are introduced to outcomes-focussed teaching approaches and are able to extend their boundaries of knowledge through active interaction with their peers and instructors.”

She added that students are able to complete the two units from the regular March/July semesters in the short semester enabling them to understand the intellectual depth required in completing assignments at university through access to the library and other resources. She also mentioned that Curtin Sarawak is the first international university branch campus to receive accreditation from the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) for its foundation programmes.

The January Intake Programme has definitely gotten the thumbs up from current students who say it helps them pass their time during their current semester break.

“Our summer break starts from mid-November to the end of February, so I have a lot of free time during the holidays. With the short-semester January Intake Programme, I can make good use of my time taking up the MoHE units, so I can concentrate on other subjects when the semester commences,” said Diploma of Business student Diana Chong.

“As it is compulsory for Malaysian students to complete the MoHE units in order to complete their academic programmes, offering the units under the January Intake Programme makes it very convenient for graduating students. As our graduation ceremonies are traditionally held between April and May, we are thus able to complete the MoHE units just before graduation,” remarked final year student Nicole Chee.

The Private Higher Educational Act 1996 (Act 555) requires private higher education institutes to teach Malaysian Studies, Islamic Studies for Muslim students or Moral Studies for non-Muslim students, and all Malaysian students are required to pass these compulsory subjects as a prerequisite to the awarding of a certificate, diploma or degree.

The Malaysian Studies and Islamic/Moral Studies modules are conducted 7 hours a week for a total of 14 hours a week, while the ‘Essentially Curtin’ module is 10 hours per week.

For further information on the academic programmes and courses available at Curtin Sarawak, contact its Student Recruitment Department at 085-443939 or e-mail enquiries@curtin.edu.my.

Photo: Students enrolled in January Intake

Programme can take the opportunity to acquaint

themselves with the university.