YB Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn visit Curtin Sarawak

MIRI, 18 May 2006 – A courtesy visit was made by YB Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn, Minister of Human Resources, Malaysia, to Curtin University of Technology, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) on Monday, May 15, 2006, accompanied by Mdm Tan Gake Hua, Director, Labour Department Sarawak and Mr Barnabas Ajam, Senior Assistant Director, Labour Department Miri.

Present to welcome YB Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn were Professor John Evans, Pro Vice-Chancellor & Chief Executive, Curtin Sarawak together with senior management staff of Curtin Sarawak.

YB Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn said, “Since my last visit here a few years ago, I am happy to say that Curtin Sarawak has grown and progressing very well.  The setting up of Curtin Sarawak campus is in line with the endeavours of the State Government of Sarawak to develop its people’s capabilities.”

“With the establishment of Industrial Training Institute (ILP) in Miri, I certainly look forward to future collaborations between Curtin Sarawak and ILP in support of the Government’s quest to produce more knowledgeable and skilled workers specifically for the employment market created by the demand of the ever-changing environment, especially those within Sarawak.

The availability of technical courses offered by Curtin Sarawak will undoubtedly raise and improve the level of Sarawak State’s technical competence. It is equally vital that focus is made on creativity and innovativeness, the ability to think and capability to hold multiple ideas in mind. I believe Curtin Sarawak has realigned itself excellently in its quest to meet the mentioned qualities of Human Capital,” continued YB Datuk Seri Dr Fong.

In his welcome remarks, Professor John Evans said, ” In support of the Ninth Malaysia Plan to develop and upgrade the mentality and intellectual capacity as well as the character of its human capital, here at Curtin Sarawak we focus on recruiting competent, skilled and knowledgeable staff that will help in generating quality graduates and improving the overall productivity and efficiency of the University.

We constantly endeavour to provide training and development for staff to enhance their knowledge, skills and competencies in their respective areas of expertise as well as to equip and keep them abreast with the latest development in their respective fields of work.”

“The University continuously strive to provide an excellent learning environment to ensure that Curtin Sarawak, in totality, achieves its vision to become a world-class university of technology. We are committed to serving and working with the Government and the people of Malaysia in making this campus at Miri grow into Sarawak’s International University and continue to deliver the best in terms of education, research and technological innovations,” concluded Professor Evans.

Curtin Sarawak was established in February 1999 in partnership with the Sarawak Government, it is the first offshore campus of the Curtin University of Technology, Western Australia and also the first foreign university campus to be set up in East Malaysia. In November 1999, Curtin Sarawak was awarded the Multimedia Super Corridor status. In December 2004, Curtin Sarawak was awarded the prestigious IRPA grant (Intensification of Research in Priority Areas) from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment.

Curtin Sarawak’s next intake will be in July 2006, and recruitment sessions are currently ongoing throughout the region. Application for admission form for Curtin Sarawak programs can be downloaded at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.my/how-to-apply/

With students drawn from various countries, Curtin Sarawak offers an affordable education and a unique international and cross-cultural learning experience.  The ultimate reward is the attainment of a prestigious internationally acclaimed Curtin degree.

Picture 1: Professor Dr John Evans, Pro Vice-Chancellor & Chief Executive Curtin Sarawak presents a memento to YB Datuk Seri Fong Chan Onn

Picture 2: Group picture with YB Datuk Seri Fong Chan Onn, Minister of Human Resources Malaysia