MEITD Sarawak keen to explore further collaboration with Curtin University

Miri –14 March 2024 – The Ministry of Education, Innovation, and Talent Development (MEITD) Sarawak is eager to explore collaboration opportunities with Curtin University.

Minister for Education, Innovation, and Talent Development Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn expressed this intention during a visit by a delegation from his ministry, which included Permanent Secretary Datu Haji Azmi Haji Bujang, Under Secretary of Innovation Division Dr. Cheong Yaw, Liang, and Special Administrative Officer Joanna Anak Federick Ginda, to Curtin University in Perth on March 7.

Welcoming the delegation to the campus were Vice-Chancellor of Curtin University Professor Harlene Hayne, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Global (Interim) Professor Xiaotian Zhang, and Pro Vice-Chancellor Research (Interim) Professor Lindy Fitzgerald.

Also present were Pro Vice-Chancellor, President, and Chief Executive of Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) Professor Simon Leunig, and Curtin Malaysia’s Director of Future Students and External Engagement Debora Caroline, who were also in Perth.

A briefing session was conducted for the delegation, during which Professor Zhang gave a presentation on Curtin’s global campuses in Australia, Malaysia, Dubai, Singapore and Mauritius; Curtin’s global rankings, faculties and schools, its 2030 Vision, and its strategic partnerships worldwide.

Debora and Professor Leunig highlighted the positive growth in student recruitment at Curtin Malaysia over the past three years, emphasising the strength of Curtin Malaysia’s academic staff, 92 per cent of whom hold PhDs. They also mentioned that Curtin Malaysia will be graduating a record 49 Higher Degree Research (HDR) students this year, and has introduced two new courses in energy engineering and mechatronic engineering, positioning Curtin Malaysia as one of the few universities in Malaysia offering a broad range of innovative engineering programmes.

Additionally, Professor Fitzgerald shared Curtin University’s research foci, including at Curtin Malaysia.

Responding to MEITD’s interest in further collaboration, Professor Leunig expressed Curtin’s Malaysia interest in conducting short courses focusing on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education for teachers in Sarawak, among other areas of possible collaboration.

The delegation was later taken on a tour of the Curtin University campus, located in the suburb of Bentley, about six kilometres south-east of central Perth, and boasting 287 acres of bold architecture nestled amongst beautifully landscaped gardens, on which the 1,200-acre Curtin Malaysia campus in Miri were fashioned. As part of the tour, they visited the campus’ iconic Curtin Connect, the university’s student service and support hub; and Curtin University Library, as well as the campus’ Curtin Global Admissions Office, which is currently based at Curtin Malaysia in Miri.

Information on Curtin University can be found on its website at curtin.edu.au. For additional information about Curtin Malaysia, visit curtin.edu.my or find Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, or TikTok.

Brenda Lee demonstrating to (L-R) Dr Cheong, Datu Haji Azmi and Dato Sri Roland real-time online link to Curtin Global Admissions Office based in Miri.

Dato Sri Roland (4th right) presenting a souvenir to Prof Hayne (5th right) while (L-R) Debora, Prof Leunig, Prof Zhang, Datu Haji Azmi, Dr Cheong and Joanna look on.