More than 3,000 visitors throng fun-filled open day

Miri – 28 September 2010 – Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) successfully organised its Curtin Open Day 2010 themed ‘Get Curious!’ which attracted more than 3,000 visitors recently.

The one-day event at its campus in Senadin saw the campus transformed into a huge fairground dotted with tents and canopies housing food and drink stalls, product display and retail stalls, and a Future Students Booth where potential students and their parents could enquire about academic programmes offered at the university.

In addition, there was a Technology & Innovation Exhibition by the university’s three schools at the Harry Perkins Lecture Theatre which showcased some of the newest, cutting edge and most interesting research across all areas of Curtin Sarawak as well as fun interactive games and activities.

A Kite Festival featuring spectacular kites of various types added to the festive atmosphere. They included musical, stunt, line and parachute kites. The festival was organised by the university’s John Curtin Leadership Academy and sponsored by the Bintulu Development Authority.

Other attractions included a Charity & Community Corner highlighting the causes of 15 local charitable bodies, workshops and talks by academicians, an International Culture Exhibition by international students, and an Environmental Awareness Corner organised in collaboration with the Miri City Council that showcased Miri’s Local Agenda 21 campaign and achievements.

There was also a blood donation drive and free health checks in collaboration with the Miri Blood Bank and Columbia Asia Hospital Miri.

Sales were brisk throughout the day at the food and drink stalls operated by some 26 student clubs, as well as at the stalls by hotels and food operators.

The event’s main stage in a strategic spot fronting the campus’ scenic man-made lake featured live musical performances, dance and cultural performances, fashion and hairstyling shows. It, too, drew huge crowds throughout the day.

Another huge draw was the Kiddies’ Corner where there was a host of activities for children if all ages, including games, sand art, face-painting, ice-cream eating competition, colouring competition and fun on bouncy castles.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam launched the event. Also present were Assistant Minister of Infrastructure Development and Assistant Minister of Social Development and Urbanisation Datuk Lee Kim Shin; state assemblyman for N.64 Pujut Andy Chia; the mayor of Miri, Lawrence Lai; pro vice-chancellor and chief executive of Curtin Sarawak, Professor Ian Kerr and chief operating officer James Ng.

In his welcoming speech, Professor Kerr said the annual Curtin Open Day is a most auspicious event for Curtin Sarawak as it is the one occasion in the year when the university literally throws open its doors and invites the Miri community to visit its campus, to spend the day discovering what it has to offer, to mix with its staff and students, and indulge in a variety of interesting activities in a truly fun and festive atmosphere.

Dr Chan, who is also Minister of Tourism and Heritage and Minister of Industrial Development as well as the chairman of the Curtin Sarawak Council, meanwhile said he was extremely proud of Curtin Sarawak and all that it has achieved in the last ten years.

He said he was sure that there are many in the Miri community who shared his sentiments and that it means a great deal for Miri to have such a prestigious, and very successful, international university as Curtin Sarawak.

Organising chairman Nicholas Leong said, “We had literally something for everyone that day, whether they were potential students interested to enrol in our programmes, or local residents who wanted to take the opportunity to visit our campus.and join in the fun and festivities.”

Leong, who is Curtin Sarawak’s corporate communications manager, said the university was very pleased with the turnout, adding that the number included some 400 students from local secondary schools.

He thanked all the Miri City Council, the event’s main supporter; the event’s media partners, over 40 corporate sponsors, 15 charitable bodies, and all the Curtin Sarawak staff and students, as well as the members of the public who turned up for their support.

More information on Curtin Sarawak can be obtained by visiting its website at www.curtin.edu.my.

Loads of fun for children at the Kiddies’ Corner.	Scene at the opening ceremony.
Datuk Patinggi Dr Chan and Datuk Lee Kim Shin planting trees to launch the event.	VIP thumbs-up for a great event.
Datuk Patinggi Dr Chan examining a topographical map at geology booth.	VIPs visit School of Business booth.
Secondary school students throng Technology & Innovation Exhibition.	VIPs take time out with visiting students.
Students serving up delicious fare.	Clown entertaining children at Kiddies’ Corner.
Kiddies’ Corner a hive of activity.	Some of the spectacular kites at Kite Festival.
Kites were in all shapes and sizes.	One of the models in fashion show.
Male models parading T-shirts.	International students performing African dance.
Students performing dance number.	Part of the crowd at the food and drink stalls.