“I will persist until I suceed!” – Jiao Zhe, Curtin Sarawak’ s First B.A Mass Communication Graduate from China

MIRI, Wednesday, 7 June 2006 – Jiao Zhe, or Stella as she is commonly known, made her family, friends and lecturers very proud by being the first Chinese national to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication from Curtin Sarawak.

At the recent 5th Graduation Ceremony held on 11 May 2006, Jiao Zhe stepped on stage proudly to receive her degree certificate from YB Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam, Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister, Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture & Minister of Industrial Development, and Chairman of the Curtin Sarawak Council.

Jiao Zhe is already working full-time in China as a copywriter in an advertising company. She said, “I am so happy to be able to utilise all my acquired academic knowledge in my current workplace. I am grateful to Curtin Sarawak which has equipped me with all the essential knowledge and necessary skills required in my line of work.”

As to why she chose to do a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication at Curtin Sarawak, Jiao Zhe said, “I was inspired by my father who is a photographer, and Mass Communication seemed like an interesting field of study, offering useful knowledge and practical skills applicable in working life. ‘Film & Television’ has been my favourite discipline while I was studying and it has been very beneficial in terms of learning. And I had lots of fun too working together with my friends, especially when we were creating and producing commercials and music videos as part of the required coursework in Mass Communication.”

“I am very glad to have selected Curtin Sarawak to pursue my tertiary education and I found university life very enjoyable. Studying has made a big impact on my life; I am now more confident and independent when facing difficulties in life and having to solve problems.”

Jiao Zhe admits that she seldom participated in extra-curricular activities while at Uni, but during her free time, she enjoys reading, listening to music, surfing the net and, at times, going out shopping with friends.

In 2005, Jiao Zhe made it to the Dean’s List of top students, with her excellent marks in a final year corporate video production unit – for which she worked on a corporate video for Laku Water Management Sdn Bhd. “I feel so happy about making it to the Dean’s List of top students. It was a sign of recognition and encouragement from Curtin Sarawak and from my ‘Film & Television’ lecturer, Mr Rama Venkatasawmy,” Jiao Zhe elaborated.

“While studying Mass Communication at Curtin Sarawak, it was important to have English language skills, and this was quite a challenge for me in the beginning. These skills are particularly essential when I have to communicate with thee to five people as part of a group: we have to work very closely when discussing ideas, developing and planning various projects. Coming from a non-English speaking background, I took the initiative to overcome my weakness by reading more books and seeking help from friends whenever I am stuck,” she continued.

Jiao Zhe’s most memorable moment is when she graduated. Looking back, she felt all her hard work and effort at Curtin Sarawak had paid off when she stood on stage with her degree certificate in hand. “I live by the motto ‘I will persist until I succeed!’. The internationally-recognised and highly-demanded Curtin degree is my ultimate reward,” she explained.

Jiao Zhe’s advice to students pursuing tertiary education: “You should really have a passion for the course that you choose to study.”

A total of 230 students graduated in 2006 at Curtin Sarawak’s 5th Graduation Ceremony which was graced by YB Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam, Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister, Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture & Minister of Industrial Development, and Chairman of the Curtin Sarawak Council.

Also present at the 5th Graduation ceremony were YB Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui, Minister of Plantation Industries & Commodities Malaysia, YB Dr Lee Kim Shin, Sarawak Assistant Minister of Infrastructure & Communication, and Chairman of the Management Board for Curtin Sarawak Malaysia, and YBhg Datu Dr Hatta bin Solhi, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Curtin (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd.

Curtin University of Technology Australia Vice-Chancellor Professor Jeanette Hacket and Pro Vice-Chancellor International Professor Kevin McKenna also attended Curtin Sarawak’s 5th Graduation Ceremony.

Professor John Evans, Curtin Sarawak Pro Vice-Chancellor & CEO, and Professor Ruth Marquis, Dean of Curtin Sarawak, as well as senior officials from the Sarawak Government, professors and academics from other institutions of higher learning were also in attendance.

Curtin Sarawak’s Department of Mass Communication academic staff were all present to witness the graduation of their first batch of Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication students.  They are Mr Rama Venkatasawmy, Head of Department, Dr Thomas Jayaprakash, Senior Lecturer together with lecturers, En Mawi Taip and Mr Ramzy Baroud.

The Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication programme was introduced in 2003 at Curtin Sarawak and includes Film & Television, Marketing and Public Relations as areas of specialisation to choose from. More information on the Bachelor of Arts programme is available at http://s44937.p1679.sites.pressdns.com/sch_dept/MassComm/BA_MassComm.htm.

Curtin Sarawak’s next student intake will be in July 2006 and recruitment sessions are currently in progress throughout the region.  For further enquiries, kindly call the Student Recruitment Hotline at 085-443 893. Application for admission to Curtin Sarawak’s degree programmes can also be made online at www.curtin.edu.my/prospective/index.htm.

Curtin Sarawak was established in February 1999, in partnership with the Sarawak Government. It is the first offshore campus of Curtin University of Technology, Western Australia, as well as the first foreign university campus to be set up in East Malaysia. In November 1999, Curtin Sarawak was awarded the Multimedia Super Corridor status.

With students coming from a wide range of countries, Curtin Sarawak offers an affordable education, as well as a unique international and cross-cultural learning experience – the ultimate goal being the attainment of a prestigious, internationally-acclaimed Curtin degree.

Picture 1: Stella at the 5th Graduation ceremony

Picture 2: Stella working on one of her projects