KUCHING: Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus has come in for praise for contributing to the bilateral relations between Australia and Malaysia.
“I want to acknowledge the great contribution from an Australia-Malaysia perspective that universities like Swinburne provides to our relationship,” said Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia Dr Justin Lee.
“It is fantastic that Swinburne in Melbourne is able to build this relationship with the Sarawak Foundation and the Sarawak government.”
He made the comment during a visit to Swinburne Sarawak on Wednesday (March 2) where he was welcomed by its Pro Vice-Chancellor and chief executive officer Prof Lau Hieng Ho.
“We value the contribution you make from all of those different dimensions – the bilateral relationship, the people-to-people ties, economic development contribution and the quality of education that the university provides,” he added.
Dr Lee said the long historical education links between Australia and Sarawak, and generally with Malaysia through the Colombo Plan was a catalyst for the close education ties between the two countries.
The High Commissioner later toured the campus, including its research facilities and was briefed by postgraduate students on their biotechnology, engineering, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) research projects.
“There are four research centres on the campus covering Sarawak and/or national research interests, for example, sustainable technologies such as in hydrogen economy.
“We leverage on Swinburne University of Technology Melbourne’s research ecosystem,” Lau said.
Apart from that, the High Commissioner had a Q&A session with students where he heard about their study experience at Swinburne Sarawak and answered questions on studying, working and living in Australia.
Dr Lee was accompanied by the Australian Honorary Consul for Sarawak who is also a Swinburne Sarawak Board member Datuk Dr Philip Ting and his wife Jeane Lona, the Australian High Commission’s Education Counsellor Fiona Morris and Second Secretary Luke McGreevy.
