Curtin Sarawak Engineering and Science alumni get together

Miri – 20 November, 2009 – The School of Engineering and Science (SOES) of Curtin University of Technology, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) recently held a Curtin Engineering and Science Alumni Gathering and Workshop for its alumni residing in Miri at the university campus.

Themed ‘Homecoming: Get Connected, Get Involved and Get Together’ and attended by over 30 SOES alumni and staff, the gathering was intended to bring together graduates, graduating students and staff of the school for a reunion of sorts, as well as foster closer ties between the school and its alumni.

In her welcoming speech, Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Joan Gribble said the alumni should be proud to be Curtin graduates as indeed that were many things to be proud of with a Curtin education. She expressed hopes that the alumni will be worthy ambassadors for Curtin Sarawak and help promote the university at their respective workplaces and in the local community.

Dean of the SOES, Dr. Yudi Samyudia remarked that this first SOES alumni gathering and workshop was the starting point for further mutual collaboration between the SOES and its alumni, and that he looked forward to more meaningful activities in the coming year.

Dr. Ashutosh Kumar Singh, chairman of the SOES Student and Alumni Relations Committee, briefed those present on the role of his committee, which includes organising year-round activities for SOES alumni and students. He highlighted several events that were held this year and thanked members of the committee for their efforts in organising them.

Ernest Goh, coordinator for Curtin Alumni, Miri Branch, in his speech thanked the SOES Student and Alumni Relations Committee for organising the event and expressed hopes that many more initiatives will be taken to ensure alumni stay connected with Curtin Sarawak.

During the workshop, alumnus Marconi Sim of Halliburton Energy Services commented that it was good to have such events as Curtin alumni have not had many activities in recent years. A fellow alumnus attached to Sarawak Shell, Francis Wong, said the event was well-organised and most enjoyable and added that he looked forward to seeing more alumni participating in future events.

This view was shared by Mulyani Tan, another alumnus attached to Sarawak Shell, who stressed the importance of expanding the current alumni network through regular communication and activities.

Following the workshop discussions, a number of recommendations on building the SOES alumni network were agreed upon. They included appointing alumni representatives to the SOES Student and Alumni Relations Committee, building the alumni database, and conducting regular social activities and gatherings. It was also proposed to involve more alumni in technical and industrial workshops organised by the SOES and departments within the school.

The event ended with lunch hosted by the SOES Student and Alumni Relations Committee.

For further information on the SOES Student and Alumni Relations Committee, log onto www.curtin.edu.my/sch_dept/SOEngineering/alumni.htm or e-mail saaerc_2009@curtin.edu.my.

Professor Joan Gribble, Ernest Goh and Dr. Ashutosh Kumar Singh

(1st – 3rd left, front row) with SOES alumni and staff.