Pertama Ferroalloys keen to hire Curtin Sarawak graduates

Miri – 7 June 2012 – New industrial player in the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE), Pertama Feroalloys Sdn. Bhd., which is owned by Hong Kong-based Asia Minerals Limited, is keen to hire graduates of Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) for its manganese and silicon smelting plant at Samalaju Industrial Park.

This was disclosed by its general manager for corporate planning and development, Yuki Nakamura, during a visit to Curtin Sarawak recently. On hand to meet with Nakamura were deputy pro vice-chancellor Professor Alistair Inglis; dean of the School of Engineering and Science, Professor Yudi Samyudia, and department heads of the school; and university life manager Haslina Abdul Malek.

According to Nakamura, Asia Minerals Limited has been searching for new site outside China to set up an integrated ferroalloys complex and had evaluated many countries before settling for Sarawak. The groundbreaking ceremony of the plant, which will process manganese ore into ferroalloy products, was held on 28 May 2012 and the first phase is expected to be completed in 2014.

Nakamura added that over 800 staff are being sought under the first phase, including engineers and geologists, as well as professional and administrative staff to handle a variety of responsibilities.

In his briefing for Nakamura on the university’s engineering programmes, Professor Yudi commented that Curtin Sarawak’s engineering courses were very much geared towards meeting the technical and manpower needs of industries in SCORE and therefore was well placed to fulfill Pertama Ferroalloys’ need for graduate engineers and scientists in a range of disciplines including chemical, mechanical, and electrical power engineering, and geology.

He disclosed that some 15 engineering graduates of Curtin Sarawak are currently employed by companies in SCORE such as Tokuyama and Toho Titanium.

Meanwhile, Professor Inglis suggested Curtin Sarawak’s business courses in finance, accounting and management, as well as its postgraduate courses in project management, might also be relevant to Pertama Ferroalloys’ needs.

Professor Inglis also expressed hopes that a long-lasting relationship between Curtin Sarawak and Pertama Ferroalloys would be established not only for the recruitment of graduates, but also manpower training, research and development, internships and scholarships.

He noted that Asia Minerals Limited has subsidiaries in some 11 different countries, allowing for considerable job mobility and career prospects for employees, and that this would be a big attraction to Curtin Sarawak’s graduates.

Pertama Ferroalloys is expected to promote its job openings to Curtin Sarawak’s students at the university campus soon.

Professor Alistair Inglis presenting Mr. Yuki Nakamura a souvenir.