MIRI: Curtin University Malaysia deputy pro vice-chancellor Prof Beena Giridharan has revealed that the university is embarking on the development of a digital centre for excellence, an engineering research laboratory, stock market trading room, new cafeteria and on-campus housing.
“These facilities enable us to continue forging a reputation for producing work-ready graduates, allow our campus community to embrace new technologies and new ways of learning and shape our focus on high-impact research that changes lives,” she said at a dinner here on Tuesday.
The university started from a fledging Riam Campus 20 years ago with 200 students.
Today, at its campus in Senadin, it has over 4,000 students from over 50 countries around the world.
“In the past 19 years, we have produced over 6,000 graduates in various disciplines and in recent years, we have been graduating students in ever increasing numbers 672 last year, and in April this year, a record 730 students,” Prof Beena said.
Curtin Malaysia, Sarawak Campus has also introduced its 20th anniversary scholarship worth RM2.5 million.
The scholarship was first launched by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg in January.
The scholarship serves as a gesture by Curtin Malaysia to help talented and eligible students from the region fulfil their aspiration for higher studies, to motivate and encourage them to pursue a truly global education with Curtin.
“The scholarships, for students in foundation programme and selected undergraduate courses, are designed to improve access and equity to academically high-achieving students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds to high quality tertiary education and give them the opportunity to study with students from all over the world enrolled in a range of courses in engineering and science, business and humanities,” Prof Beena explained.
Last year, Curtin Malaysia offered foundation scholarships worth RM2million, which were taken up by more than 110 deserving and high achieving scholars in Miri Division.
Curtin Malaysia, Sarawak Campus not only provides quality tertiary education but is among the most affordable, says a state assistant minister.
Meanwhile, Tourism, Arts and Culture Assistant Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin said: “The university is among the top world-ranked universities, providing a wide range of courses accredited by its main campus in Perth, Australia.”
“We need to do more information dissemination so that more students will know about what the university is offering.”
He hoped that local students would also make full use of the university apart from the fees that are in Malaysian ringgit.
“It is one of the many reasons why international students choose Curtin Malaysia, Sarawak Campus…because of its cost effective and high quality tertiary education,” he said.
Lee stated that the presence of international students had helped propel Miri’s property industry.
“Especially in housing, with over 4,000 students, they stay here, rent a house for two to three years, basically this helps our economy to thrive.”
