By Dayak Daily Team
KUCHING, Sept 3: Three esteemed academics from Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus have been recognised with national awards at the Private Education Excellence Awards 2024, organized by the Private Education Co-operative of Malaysia (Educoop) in Kuala Lumpur.
According to a report by the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) today, the award recipients are Dr Jeffrey Jee Teck Weng, Senior Lecturer from the School of Business, Ir Dr How Bing Shen, Senior Lecturer from the School of Engineering and Science, and Associate Professor Dr Fung Chorng Yuan, Head of the School of Business.
Dr Jeffrey Jee was honored with the National Outstanding Young Educator Award, while Ir Dr How Bing Shen received the National Outstanding Young Researcher Award.
Associate Professor Dr Fung Chorng Yuan, who was a contender for the National Outstanding Educator Award (University Category), received a Certificate of Merit for his exceptional contributions to higher education.
Pro-Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer of Swinburne Sarawak, Ir Professor Lau Hieng Ho, lauded the recognition of these academics, highlighting that it reflects the university’s dedication to enhancing its staff profile, a crucial aspect of Swinburne Sarawak’s 2025 Vision.
“This recognition is a testament to our commitment to improving education and research capabilities while fostering a vibrant, quality academic environment where innovation and excellence can thrive.
“This remarkable achievement underscores our dedication to nurturing such an environment within our academic community, thereby enhancing academic standards and contributing meaningfully to talent development,” said Lau.
Dr Jee, the founder of the award-winning Teach-Innovate-Guide-Experience-Execute-Reflect (TIGEE-R) pedagogy in 2023, also received the highly commendable Teaching Excellence Award by Swinburne Sarawak in the same year.
He expressed his commitment to practical, real-world learning, emphasising the importance of lifelong education in bridging the gap between classrooms and industry.
“Winning this prestigious national award further fuels my determination to continuously evolve as an educator, reinforcing my commitment to shaping future-ready graduates,” he said.
Ir Dr How, an expert in process system engineering, has made significant contributions to developing circular strategies for various industries.
His exceptional work has earned him numerous prestigious recognitions, including the Young Researcher Award at the IChemE Global Awards 2021 and the Society of Chemical Engineers, Japan (SCEJ) Award for Outstanding Asian Researcher and Engineer in 2022.
“I am deeply honored to receive this national award. I will continue to strive and give my best to lead research that helps industries pave the way towards a decarbonised future,” he said.
Associate Professor Dr Fung has played a pivotal role in the university’s educational landscape, securing multiple research grants related to teaching and learning. He has been a strong advocate for situated learning practices, emphasising that learning must occur in context.
Dr Fung was the recipient of the Swinburne Sarawak Teaching Excellence Award in 2021.
These accolades reflect the commitment of Swinburne Sarawak to excellence in education and research, positioning the university as a leader in nurturing talent and fostering innovation. — DayakDaily
