Papua Province keen to send sponsored students to Curtin Sarawak
Posted date:Miri – 8 April 2013 – The provincial government in Papua Province, Indonesia, is keen to sponsor Papuan students for further studies at leading tertiary institutions in a number of countries including Malaysia, according to the head of the Papua Human Resources Development Board, Dr. Zakharias Giay. Among the institutions being considered is Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) in Miri, Sarawak.
Dr. Zakharias disclosed this during a familiarisation visit to Curtin Sarawak on 3 March 2013. He was accompanied by Lili Kusuma Chandar, Director of ELC Education in Makassar, South Sulawesi, which is assisting the Papua Human Resources Development Board to establish bilateral ties with Curtin University’s campuses in Australia and Sarawak.
On hand to welcome the Indonesian visitors were Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Kerr, Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Ir. Yudi Samyudia, Dean of School of Business Professor Francois Therin, Acting Dean of School of Engineering and Science Associate Professor Lau Hieng Ho, Dean of R&D Professor Clem Kuek, Chief Operating Officer Nicholas Ching, Marketing Manager Liew Mei Yin and Corporate Communications Manager Nicholas Leong.
According to Dr. Zakharias, the Papua Human Resources Development Board is interested in placing undergraduate students in the engineering, science and business programmes at Curtin Sarawak, as well as placing some postgraduate students in selected business and engineering disciplines. The board is currently sponsoring some 20 students at Curtin’s main campus in Perth, Western Australia.
Expressing support for the move, Professor Kerr said Curtin Sarawak offers a more affordable option as the students will pay the local fees and the cost of living in Sarawak is considerably cheaper compared to Perth. Furthermore, the courses at both campuses are identical and the degrees are awarded by Curtin in Australia.
Prof. Kerr (3rd right) presenting Dr. Zakharias with a gift while Assoc. Prof. Lau, Prof. Samyudia, Lili Kusuma, Nicholas Ching and Clem Kuek look on
