‘Make Tomorrow Better’ theme of Curtin Open Day this 10 September

Miri – 11 August 2011 – “Make Tomorrow Better’ will be the main theme of the Curtin Open Day 2011 being organised by Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) at its campus from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm on 10 September 2011.

This was announced by the event organising committee comprising staff and the student council of the university at a press conference held today.

Committee chairman and Curtin Sarawak’s corporate communications manager Nicholas Leong said the theme reflects Curtin’s new brand identity and strategic objective to be a forward-looking international research-focused and teaching university positioned amongst the top 20 universities in Asia by 2020.

To find out more about how Curtin Sarawak is ‘making tomorrow better’ through innovation, research and development, teaching and learning, and its holistic approach to education that ensures students are equipped with global knowledge and international experience, visitors to Curtin Open Day 2011 can visit the ‘Innovation Expo’, one of the event’s main attractions.

Potential students and parents who would like to know more about what Curtin Sarawak has to offer in terms of academic programmes, facilities and campus life and scholarships and loans can drop by the ‘Future Students Booth’. There they will get to talk to academicians, staff and current students who will help them make informed decisions about studying at Curtin Sarawak.

In addition, they can find out about membership in the Curtin Young Associates (CYA), Curtin Sarawak’s club for secondary school students, and loans and scholarships for tertiary study offered by Yayasan Sarawak,

Students can also learn more through a series of academic talks on undergraduate and postgraduate courses offered at Curtin Sarawak at the Harry Perkins Lecture Theatre and School of Business. Fifth and sixth formers in particular will benefit from a study skills workshop that will help them prepare for the upcoming SPM and STPM examinations.

According to Leong, Curtin Open Day 2011 will moreover be a ‘green’ event in support of Curtin Sarawak’s environmental initiatives and Miri City Council’s goal to make Miri the first ‘green city’ in Malaysia. The city council is a keen supporter of the annual event and will showcase its ongoing environmental campaigns at the ‘Environmental Corner’ at the Recreation and Event Centre.

In keeping with the green theme, Curtin Sarawak is discouraging the use of plastic bags and styrofoam containers at the event, and visitors will be presented eco-friendly shopping bags and recyclable plastic containers instead. Those who want to support the green cause are most welcome to bring their own shopping bags and recyclable containers for takeaways.

“Curtin Open Day is that special occasion each year when we would throw open our doors and invite the local community to visit our campus and participate in a variety of interesting activities in a most festive and fun atmosphere,” said Leong.

Besides the ‘Innovation Expo’, ‘Environmental Corner’, ‘Future Students Booth’ and academic talks, visitors can look forward to patronising a wide range of food and beverage, retail and activity stalls, and take in live musical and stage performances including a Miri Got Talent Contestand cultural dance contest.

The food and beverage stalls will be operated by student clubs, hotels, restaurants and local food outlets. Purchases at the student club stalls will be by coupons sold by the Student Council (at promotional booths in selected shopping complexes prior to the event and at the Registration Booth on the day of the event) while the other stalls will accept cash only.

As with previous Curtin Open Days, there will be a number of community outreach activities during the event, including a blood donation drive in collaboration with the Miri Blood Bank and the Young Malaysian Movement. The drive will be held on the ground floor of the John Curtin Building, and on the first floor, Columbia Asia Hospital will conduct free health checks.

Furthermore, at the ‘Charity & Community Corner’ in the adjacent Lance Twomey Building, some 15 non-governmental organisations will promote their charitable and community causes.

Children visiting Curtin Open Day 2011 will surely delight in the ‘Kiddies Corner’ in the event hall at the Recreation & Event Centre. Attractions will include clowns and cartoon character mascots, bouncy castles, sand art and video games, as well as a colouring competition, spelling bee and stage performances by pupils of local pre-schools.

In addition, for the first time in the history of the Curtin Open Day, there will be a ‘Bike Show’ for motorcycle enthusiasts featuring static displays of big bikes, street bikes and electric motorbikes at the School of Business carpark.

Another anticipated crowd-puller will be the hourly lucky draws and two grand prize draws at the main stage located near the campus’ scenic man-made lake. Attractive prizes like electrical appliances and hotel and restaurant vouchers will be given away on the hour, while the grand prize draws at noon and at 3.00 pm will feature iPads, iPods, notebook PCs and digital cameras. Only buyers of Student Council coupons are eligible for the lucky draws.

“Overall, Curtin Open Day 2011 promises to be a most eventful day for everyone, whether you’re keen to know more about studying at Curtin Sarawak; the latest in engineering, science and technology; how you can help save the planet or support charitable causes, or simply want enjoy great food and a day of fun and festivities,” declared Leong.

For more information on Curtin Open Day 2011, one can visit the event website at www.curtin.edu.my/openday2011, call the event secretariat at +60 85 443806, or e-mail corpcomm@curtin.edu.my.

It’s ‘all systems go’ for members of the Curtin Open Day 2011 organising committee.