IMechE launches student chapter at Curtin Sarawak

Miri – 25 October 2013 – The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) recently launched its student chapter at Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak), making it the first IMechE student chapter to be established in East Malaysia.

IMechE is the fastest growing professional engineering institution in the United Kingdom. Currently, it has over 100,000 members from global chapters in 120 countries. The Curtin Sarawak IMechE Student Chapter is fully supported by the Young Section Member (YMS) of IMechE Malaysia Branch.

The launching ceremony held at the Curtin Sarawak campus saw the presentation of a official launch certificate by Dr. Albert Tsai Kim Yeow, Chairman of IMechE YMS, to the Dean of Curtin Sarawak’s School of Engineering and Science, Professor Michael Cloke.

Witnessing the handover were Professor Ong Kok Soo, Founding President of IMechE Malaysia Branch, and Ir. Mathew Thomas, Honorary Treasurer of IMechE Malaysia Branch.

Also present at the ceremony were Curtin Sarawak’s Deputy Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Ir. Yudi Samyudia; Director of the Curtin Sarawak Research Institute (CSRI), Professor Aaron Goh; lecturer of mechanical engineering and Student Chapter Academic Liaison Officer Dr. Vincent Lee Chieng Chen; and Industrial Advisory Panel and Fellow of IMechE Chow Yuet Hong.

Professor Ir. Samyudia said having an IMechE student chapter at Curtin Sarawak not only adds to its prestige as a university but also provides its students a more tangible link with the Institution, so that they are in tune with developments in mechanical engineering, can effectively promote the Institution, and engage with IMechE members based in Miri and elsewhere.

He hoped the student chapter would take advantage of IMechE branch or group events, as well as organise activities of its own for the benefit of its members, the campus community, and the community at large.

The Curtin Sarawak IMechE Student Chapter currently has 52 members. It is helmed by pro tem chairperson and third-year mechanical engineering student Yeong Siew Ping.

The student chapter has been formed to engage its student members in activities that nurture their talents and provide them with a more tangible link to IMechE. In addition, it will increase IMechE’s engagement with existing members who are based in the university and help raise its profile and the engineering profession among staff, students and the local community.

For more information on the Curtin Sarawak IMechE Student Chapter, e-mail to vincent@curtin.edu.my.

Professor Cloke holds the official launch certificate while Dr. Tsai (left) and Professor Ong look on.

IMechE representatives, staff of Curtin Sarawak and Curtin Sarawak IMechE Student Chapter Pro Tem Committee in a photo call at the end of the event.