Curtin Sarawak Open Day attracts over 9,000 visitors

Miri – 25 September 2014 – A record 9,005 visitors converged on the campus of Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) for its eighth Curtin Sarawak Open Day on 20 September. They included several hundred students from local secondary schools, potential students and their parents, and visitors from neighbouring Brunei.

Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Jim Mienczakowski said it was an excellent response to the university’s call for community interest and support. He attributed the event’s success to the Curtin Sarawak staff and students, government and corporate sector supporters, and local community groups who took part.

In thanking the campus community for their efforts, he said, “The large crowds were well entertained and enjoyed all the hard work that went into making the event so successful. There was a wonderful atmosphere of fun and excitement throughout the campus.”

Curtin Sarawak Open Day 2014, themed ‘Celebrating 15 Years in Sarawak’ in conjunction with the campus’ 15th anniversary, featured both familiar and new activities.

The Innovation Expo, an annual favourite, showcased the teaching and learning, research and community engagement activities of Curtin Sarawak’s School of Business and School of Engineering and Science, as well as its multi-disciplinary Curtin Sarawak Research Institute. Academic clubs affiliated to the schools were also featured.

The School of Business won the coveted Pro Vice-Chancellor’s Innovation Showcase challenge trophy for best showcase with its ‘Business Edu-Mall’ concept along with awards for best teamwork and best community outreach projects.

Another popular feature was the Future Students Booth where potential students and their parents got to meet student recruitment staff and learn more about the various aspects of the university, from its academic programmes to facilities and campus life.

Lending an air of festivity were some 50 food and beverage, retail and activity stalls operated by student clubs of Curtin Sarawak and local businesses.

A further 19 booths were run by non-governmental organisations and government agencies as part of the Charity & Community Corner, which included a showcase of Miri City Council’s Local Agenda 21 programme, free health checks, blood donation drive and mobile dental clinic.

Other highlights included the second annual Newspaper Bag Design & Break Competition sponsored by the Miri City Council, a fishing competition, Melanau Tibou Showcase, Kiddies Corner, the hotly-contested Miri’s Got Talent 4 and Mr & Miss Curtin contests, car show and showcase of big bikes.

Curtin Sarawak Open Day 2014 was launched by Curtin Sarawak Council chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr. George Chan. Also present were the mayor of Miri, Lawrence Lai; members of Curtin Sarawak’s campus council, and management staff of the university led by Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Jim Mienczakowski.

In his opening speech, Chan remarked that Curtin Sarawak, with a student population of over 3,500, is maturing as a campus and becoming more autonomous, as appropriate to its size and evidenced by the formal support by discipline accrediting bodies within Malaysia and abroad.

He added that it has become a leading centre of innovative learning and scholarly research in Malaysia, for which he congratulated Curtin Sarawak’s management and staff for their hard work and dedication in creating a campus of world-class standard and providing quality courses of quality relevant to the needs of the country.

Student recruitment staff member giving advice on studying at the university.

Representatives of NGO promoting their cause.

Engineering exhibit at the Innovation Expo.

Large crowd at the Future Students Booth.

Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Jim Mienczakowski welcoming visitors to the event.

Datuk Patinggi Dr George Chan, Mayor Lawrence Lai and Professor Jim Mienczakowski (3rd – 5th left) viewing a School of Business exhibit.

Crowds thronging event stalls.