By Jaythaleela K
MIRI, Feb 27: Curtin Malaysia’s campus here plans to set up a Digital Centre of Excellence, an engineering research laboratory, stock market trading room, a new cafeteria and on-campus housing, said its deputy pro vice-chancellor Prof Beena Giridharan.
“These facilities will 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 change lives,” she said during an appreciation dinner here yesterday, which also served to introduce its 20th anniversary scholarships worth RM2.5 million.
The scholarship initiative, which was launched by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg last month, is meant to help students pursuing foundation programmes and selected undergraduate courses.
Last year, Curtin Malaysia offered scholarships worth RM2 million, which benefitted more than 110 students.
Curtin Malaysia (Sarawak Campus) has certainly evolved over the years. It started 20 years ago as a small campus with about 200 students. Today, it boasts over 4,000 students from over 50 countries.
“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 an ever increasing number. It was 672 last year, and in April this year, it will be a record 730 students,” said Giridharan.
Meanwhile, Assistant Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin, who was the guest-of-honour, said Curtin Malaysia (Sarawak Campus) is both a teaching university and a research centre.
He told those present that Curtin University is a top world-ranking university and hoped the people here, especially the students, should help spread the word around.
Lee added that many foreigners chose to study here because it is cost effective to do so and the quality of education high.
“The presence of international students studying in Curtin Malaysia (Sarawak Campus) helps our property sector, too. With over 4,000 students from outside, they have to rent houses here for two to three years. That is good for our economy,” he said.
Also present were Miri mayor Adam Yii, Miri Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI) chairman Lee Khoi Yun and Sarawak Indian Association vice-president Karambir Singh. — DayakDaily
