Over 300 staff and guests mark Australia Day at Curtin Sarawak

Miri – 26 January 2015 – Over 300 staff of Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) took time off from their work to commemorate Australia Day at the university’s second annual ‘Aussie Sausage Sizzle’ do today.

The event was held at the foyer of the university’s Harry Perkins Lecture Theatre and featured typical Australian barbecue fare, Australian music and TV entertainment, a booth selling Australian souvenirs and a raffle.

Also attending were a number of visitors from Australia and chairman of Curtin (Malaysia) Sendirian Berhad, Dato Dr. Hatta bin Solhi, as well Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Jim Mienczakowski and his deputy, Professor Yudi Samyudia.

In his welcoming speech, Professor Mienczakowski said he was glad the annual outdoor barbecue event continues to attract a large number of staff and that it is a meaningful celebration of not just Australia Day, but also what is great about being a campus of Curtin University, one of Australia’s leading universities.

Curtin Sarawak was established in 1999 in a joint venture between Curtin University and the Sarawak state government. In addition to being Curtin’s first offshore branch campus (a second was established in Singapore in 2008), it was also the first foreign branch campus to be set up in East Malaysia.

Curtin Sarawak is now among the top-rated, and most internationally-minded, campuses in Malaysia. Events such as the ‘Aussie Sausage Sizzle’ serve to strengthen the international outlook of the campus community, which now comprises over 3,600 students from more than 40 countries and over 400 staff from some 15 countries.

Professor Mienczakowski addressing the staff and guests.

Staff making a beeline for the sumptuous barbecue fare.

The gathering of over 300 staff and guests.

Staff in celebratory mood.