Opportunities for Australia-Malaysia collaboration highlighted during high commissioner’s visit to Curtin Malaysia

Miri – 24 February 2022 – Australia and Malaysia are keen to explore more collaboration in various fields, including education and research, and particularly renewable energy development in Sarawak, according to Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia, Dr. Justin Lee.

He said this during his familiarisation visit to Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) recently. Accompanying the high commissioner were his wife, Jeane Lona, Australian High Commission education counsellor Fiona Morris, and second secretary Luke McGreevy.

Welcoming the high commissioner and entourage to Curtin Malaysia, Curtin University’s largest global campus and hub in ASEAN, were Sarawak Transport Minister Dato’ Sri Lee Kim Shin, who is chair of Curtin Malaysia’s management committee, and pro vice-chancellor, president and chief executive Professor Simon Leunig.

In his welcoming speech, Prof. Leunig remarked that whilst Australia remains firmly committed to Malaysia following 67 years of diplomatic, economic and cultural ties, Curtin University has also renewed its commitment to Malaysia and particularly Sarawak by renewing its joint venture agreement with the Sarawak state government for at least another 20 years.

“This, and the State Government’s desire to make Curtin Malaysia a full-fledged state-owned university, augurs well for us as we embark on a new era of growth post-COVID. This will involve, in addition to continued campus expansion, an expansion of Curtin’s intellectual footprint in ASEAN through strategic alliances and partnerships under the mantle of the University’s Curtin Global approach with Curtin Malaysia as its regional hub,” Prof. Leunig said.

In a dialogue session with Dato’ Sri Lee, Prof. Leunig, senior management staff and academics, and the president of Curtin Malaysia’s student council of, the high commissioner and entourage were briefed on Curtin Malaysia’s learning and teaching, research, external engagement and student experience activities.

The Sarawak government’s ownership of Curtin Malaysia and the Sarawak Biovalley Pilot Plant (SBPP) sited at the campus was also underscored, demonstrating the importance the state government places on education, innovation and human capital development.

In addition, the high commissioner and entourage were briefed on Curtin Malaysia’s research in renewable energies and digital futures, as well as its proposed aquaculture, cyber security and South China Sea studies research centres.

“Your expertise and academic research is very closely aligned with Australia’s interests in the region’s geo-strategic priorities. Technologies around renewable energies, hydrogen, and transition from fossil fuels are also important issues for us. We are trying to encourage not just educational objectives but also research collaborations,” said Dr. Lee during the dialogue.

In a press interview with press members following the dialogue, the high commissioner commented that Australia and Malaysia shared a long history of engagement and collaboration in the area of education and research, dating back to the first Colombo Plan scholarships.

“Some, like the current Sarawak Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud studied in Australia under the original Colombo Plan scholarships, paving the way for generations of Malaysians to come,” said Dr. Lee.

He disclosed that since 2002, over 125,000 Malaysians have studied in Australia and many more in the decades going back to the 1950s, and over 3,000 Australian students have chosen to study and intern in Malaysia under the New Colombo Plan since 2015.

“Malaysia is an especially important education partner for Australia, exemplified by the four Australian university campuses located in different parts of Malaysia, including Curtin University Malaysia,” he added.

According to the high commissioner, approximately 20,000 Malaysians are currently studying at the Australian institutions in Malaysia.

The visit ended with a tour of a lecture theatre, distributed learning room and collaborative study room, and the SBPP before the entourage departed for further visits in Kuching.

Prof. Leunig said the high commissioner’s visit was fundamental in establishing broader ties with the Australian high commission in Kuala Lumpur in the coming years, especially as Curtin Malaysia ventures into more academic and research areas of interest to the Australian government.

He said the relationship with the high commission has remained exceptionally strong since Curtin Malaysia’s establishment in 1999, and it is hoped the high commissioner will be a frequent visitor to Curtin Malaysia to attend its graduation ceremonies and other key events.

Information on Curtin Malaysia can be found on its website at www.curtin.edu.my, or look for Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, or LinkedIn.

Dr Lee, Dato Sri Lee and Prof Leunig during the dialogue session.

Representatives from Curtin Malaysia and Australian High Commission during dialogue session.

A group photo following the dialogue session.

Dr Lee and Dato Sri Lee being interviewed by local press.

Dr Lee and entourage touring the Sarawak Biovalley Pilot Plant.