Opportunities for internships for Curtin Malaysia students at Pullman Miri Waterfront with signing of MoU

Miri – 26 October 2021 – Closer collaboration between Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) and Pullman Miri Waterfront Hotel, particularly in internship opportunities for Curtin Malaysia commerce students, is in the offing with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the university and hotel last week.

The collaboration, initiated by Pullman Miri Waterfront General Manager Alan Tham and Dean of Curtin Malaysia’s Faculty of Business, Professor Andreas Zins, and their respective staff, will involve student and staff development programmes and research-related activities, the sharing of relevant academic and industry information, and carrying out projects of mutual interest and benefit such as joint corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities.

Signing on behalf of Curtin Malaysia at an online signing ceremony was Pro Vice-Chancellor, President and Chief Executive Professor Simon Leunig while Tham signed for Pullman Miri Waterfront Hotel.

Also attending the ceremony were Pullman Miri Waterfront’s Executive Assistant Manager, Andy Pian; Marketing and Communications Manager Rochesder Hilary; and Talent and Culture Executive Andrea Ivy Julias.

Others representing Curtin Malaysia’s Faculty of Business were Yip Ka Yii (Chair, Industry Engagement Committee), Dr. Shamsul Kamariah Abdullah (Chair, Faculty Quality Assurance Committee), Kathy Phang (Chair, Marketing and Website Committee), Dr. Ramez Badeeb (Head, Department of Accounting, Finance and Economics), Dr. Samuel Folorunso Adeyinka-Ojo (Head, Department of Management, Marketing and Digital Business), Dr. Abey Philip (Associate Dean, Learning and Teaching), Crystal Lau (Head, Foundation Commerce), and Dr. Fayrene Chieng (lecturer, Department of Management, Marketing and Digital Business).

In his opening speech, Professor Leunig commented that the collaboration would benefit students of the Faculty of Business greatly, particularly those in the Bachelor of Commerce double majors in Management and Marketing, Marketing and Public Relations, Public Relations and Management, and Marketing and Tourism & Hospitality. The students will be offered internships at the Pullman Miri Waterfront during their summer breaks between December and February, an arrangement that is likely to be extended to the Pullman Kuching as well in the near future.

Professor Leunig said that, as Curtin Malaysia values authentic learning and is committed to developing graduate capabilities through embedding Work Integrated Learning (WIL) in all its courses, the opportunity for internships at the hotel would be significant for both the students and the university

“Pullman Miri Waterfront would be able to take advantage of the fresh insights, the latest theories, techniques and ideas our students will bring, and our students interning at the hotel will have the opportunity to gain valuable exposure to the hospitality industry, and better understand actual industry practice,” he remarked.

Professor Leunig added that Curtin Malaysia is always seeking opportunities to foster mutually beneficial partnerships with industry, business, government and professional bodies to help Curtin University expand its global footprint and enhance the quality of its scholarship, teaching and research. It is also committed to active community engagement and being a major player in the local community.

Meanwhile, in his speech, Tham said Curtin Malaysia is well respected in the community for the quality higher education it provides and it was for this reason that the Pullman Miri Waterfront seeks to engage Curtin students for its internship programme. Echoing Professor Leunig’s sentiments, he said both parties will have much to contribute to the collaboration, particularly for the benefit of the students who will be able to gain much knowledge and experience in the hospitality industry.

Giving the event’s closing remarks, Professor Zins thanked the Pullman Miri Waterfront for the opportunity to enter into the collaboration as the Faculty of Business continues to seek more WIL and career opportunities for its students. He also expressed hopes for joint research-related activities pertaining to hospitality and tourism that would benefit both parties, as well as the wider community.

Representatives from Curtin Malaysia and Pullman Miri Waterfront Hotel giving the thumbs up following the signing of MoUs.