Over 360 new students enrol in Curtin Sarawak’s March intake

Miri – 7 March 2014 – Over 360 new students commenced their tertiary studies at Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) with Orientation Week or ‘O-Week’ activities at the university’s campus recently.

Curtin Sarawak’s March 2014 intake comprises 222 and 143 students enrolled in foundation and undergraduate programmes respectively. Of the number, 156 enrolled in the School of Business and 209 in the School of Engineering and Science. Another 17 enrolled in the Intensive English Programme (IEP) under the School of Continuing Studies.

Among them were over 30 international students from Australia, Sweden, the United States, Brunei, the Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, China, Myanmar, South Korea, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Seychelles, Tunisia, Egypt, Kenya, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Iran and Nigeria, as well as 89 West Malaysian students.

The bi-annual ‘O-Week’, which is compulsory for all new students, combines faculty and course specific advice for the students, and through various activities and workshops, helps them adapt to university life and familiarise themselves with the university’s administrative processes.

They include presentations by staff of various student support areas; meet-and-greet sessions with the deans and academics of the schools at the university; briefings on student development opportunities and lab safety; as well as games and a campus tour.

A separate ‘International Prep Day’ was held for international students prior to the ‘O-Week’, which helped them get acquainted with their new environment in Miri. The session included a welcoming speech by Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Yudi Samyudia and briefings by staff of Curtin Sarawak’s International Office and Office of Student Affairs on matters related to immigration, health, pastoral care and local culture and norms.

According to accounting and finance student Umar Abbas from Pakistan, he chose to study at Curtin Sarawak because of its affordable fees as compared to the fees for the same courses at Curtin’s main campus in Perth, Western Australia.

Meanwhile, Filipina Angelene May Low, who is pursuing a degree in mass communication, commented that Curtin Sarawak’s campus is conducive for tertiary studies and the university offers flexible options for transfer to Bentley in the future.

Fatimah Mohamad from Perlis said she chose to pursue a degree in chemical engineering at Curtin Sarawak due to the location of the university. She finds Miri a peaceful city with a relatively cost of living.

‘O-Week’ is coordinated by Curtin Sarawak’s University Life Department and facilitated by student volunteers known as SOARs (Student Orientation, Advisory and Registration).

New students being introduced to their facilitators.

Pakistani Umar Abbas says Curtin Sarawak offers affordable fees.

Mass communication student Angelene May Low says the Curtin Sarawak campus is conducive for tertiary studies.

Fatimah Mohamad from Perlis finds Miri a peaceful and affordable place.