Mechanical engineering graduate among Curtin Sarawak’s many high-flyers

Miri – 11 June 2014 – Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) stands proud for having produced over 3,500 graduates since its establishment as Curtin University’s largest international campus 15 years ago, as well as for the quality of its graduates.

Many have embarked on highly successful careers throughout Malaysia and internationally whilst others have gone on to pursue postgraduate qualifications as part of their career advancement.

Among those who have taken this latter path is mechanical engineering graduate Chan Hiang Bin, who recently graduated from Curtin Sarawak with a First Class Honours bachelors degree in mechanical engineering and is now pursuing a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree under a Curtin Sarawak Higher Degree by Research (HDR) Scholarship.

Chan, who is a former student of SMK Chung Hua Miri, was the deserving winner of three academic excellence awards at the Curtin Sarawak Award and Scholarship Ceremony held last April, namely the Shell Best Engineering Student Award, Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) Gold Medal Award and Samling Best Engineering Graduate Student Award.

In addition to these awards, he has won numerous other awards and recognitions during his undergraduate years, including membership in the Vice-Chancellor’s List and Dean’s List, the Murphy Oil Best Third Year Engineering Student Award, Shell Best Third Year Engineering Student Award and Shell Best Second Year Engineering Student Award.

He has also been active in many extra-curricular activities such as drama, essay writing and bowling throughout his time at Curtin Sarawak.

Proud to be one of what the university refers to as its ‘high-flyers’, Chan’s current studies at Curtin Sarawak involves designing and developing a novel heat exchanger system by utilising elastic agitator fins to improve turbulent flow mixing.

He is under the supervision of the head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Curtin Sarawak’s School of Engineering and Science, Associate Professor Sharul Sham Dol, and lecturer of mechanical engineering Dr. Wee Siaw Khur. His thesis committee comprises of the head of the Department of Chemical Engineering, Associate Professor Chua Han Bing, and lecturer of chemical engineering Associate Professor Perumal Kumar.

According to Associate Professor Sharul, Chan has an outstanding academic portfolio and could easily find a job in any international engineering company. However, he chose to remain in the academic and research line.

“Hiang Bin’s success shows the strength of our mechanical engineering course in attracting exceptional talent. We believe the university and the local community will greatly benefit from his talent in the future,” he said.

Meanwhile, Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Jim Mienczakowski said Chan joins a long list of distinguished Curtin graduates at Curtin Sarawak and other Curtin campuses, many of whom have gone on to achieve fame and fortune in various spheres of society, and many others who are performing less heralded but equally valuable and personally rewarding roles in society.

He commended Chan for deciding to continue on to postgraduate study at Curtin Sarawak, adding that it is important to pursue lifelong learning and interdisciplinary study. He encourages those who are working professionals to also consider postgraduate studies such as postgraduate diplomas, Masters degrees, as well as PhDs by research.

“Working life should be enriched and re-invigorated by occasional forays back into the education system, in order to update your existing skills and content knowledge, as well as to acquire new ones,” he said.

Curtin Sarawak’s second semester intake is in progress and students who are interested to enrol in its foundation or undergraduate programmes are encouraged to apply now. Those enrolling in undergraduate programmes can enjoy an early bird rebate if they enrol by 4 July 2014 while those opting for foundation programmes will get a rebate if they enrol before 18 July 2014. For more information, contact the Student Recruitment Department at +60 85 443 893 or e-mail enquiries@curtin.edu.my.

More information on Curtin Sarawak’s Higher Degree by Research (HDR) programme  and HDR Scholarships can be found at www.curtin.edu.my/R&D/HDR/index.htm.

Chan (left) receiving his IEM Gold Medal Award at the Curtin Sarawak Award and Scholarship ceremony last April.

Chan is under the supervision of Assoc. Prof. Sharul (right) and Dr. Wee (left).