Curtin Malaysia’s Faculty of Engineering and Science welcomes new degree students

Miri – 4 March 2020 – Over 150 new students enrolled in undergraduate engineering, science and technology programmes at Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) attended a faculty orientation session hosted by its Faculty of Engineering and Science as part of the wider week-long Degree Orientation Programme (O-Week) conducted by the Department of University Life for all new students in its latest degree intake.

The students were from the Faculty’s Chemical Engineering, Civil and Construction Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, Construction Management, Computer Systems and Networking, Computing, and Applied Geology departments.

The session was facilitated by staff of the various departments with support from Department of University Life officers, student orientation leaders and student volunteers.

Such orientation sessions are held at faculty level during each O-Week to help new students get acquainted with teaching staff, faculty facilities and services, methods of learning, policies and procedures, and the Faculty’s expectations of its students.

On hand to welcome and address the students was Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Science, Professor Vu Tuong Thuy. In his welcoming speech, Professor Vu gave the students a brief introduction to the university, the Faculty and its affiliated academic clubs, and raised awareness of the COVID-19 virus outbreak and preventive measures being practised at Curtin Malaysia. Professor Vu also presented lucky draw prizes to students Wong Sru Thi and Koh Hon Seng.

This was followed by a presentation by Associate Professor John Lau Sie Yon, Head of Engineering First Year and Foundation in Engineering and Science departments, who introduced the Engineering First Year (EFY) programme and learning support tools available to students such as OASIS, Moodle and Blackboard.

In addition, information on health, safety and environment (HSE) practices, the Faculty’s PELA programme, and operations within each department were conveyed to the students, and team building activities held to break the ice.

According to Associate Professor Lau, the main aim of the orientation sessions is to introduce new students to faculty staff and provide important information to help them adapt to their new environment as quickly as possible.

“This is critical to new students because entering university can be a massive culture change for them. We try to make the sessions as fun and informative as possible, and with a clear understanding of policies and procedures and resources and support available to them, the students’ transition into the new learning environment will be a lot smoother,” he said.

Curtin Malaysia, Curtin University’s largest international campus and Asian hub of Curtin University, offers quality degree courses in engineering and science, business and humanities identical to those at Curtin’s main campus in Perth and other Curtin international campuses in Dubai, Singapore and Mauritius at affordable Malaysian fees.

It offers a unique international and cross-cultural learning experience with students from over 50 different countries and teaching staff recruited internationally from close to 15 countries further strengthen its global focus.

Group photo of faculty staff and new students during the orientation session.

Some new students on tour of laboratory accompanied by lecturers.