Miri – 9 December 2010 – In addition to being listed in the online Malaysian Qualifications Register (MQR) following the granting of self-accreditation status by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) in June this year, Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak)’s accredited qualifications are now recognised by the Public Service Department of Malaysia (Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam or JPA).
Curtin Sarawak’s planning manager, Doris Bala Lian, said official notification has been received from JPA to that regard. She added that accreditation by MQA was a basis for JPA’s recognition of Curtin Sarawak’s qualifications for employment in the public sector, and was further testimony that its programmes were of the highest standards.
Curtin Sarawak’s accredited qualifications and programmes in the MQR can be accessed at www.mqa.gov.my/mqr/english/eperutusan.cfm (in English) or www.mqa.gov.my/mqr/carianakr.cfm (in Bahasa Malaysia). The listings include the programmes’ names, types, number of credits, fields of study and validity periods. Recognition by related professional bodies is also highlighted.
“Accreditation by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency proves that our programmes have attained the required quality standards and criteria and are in compliance with the Malaysian Qualifications Framework,” said pro vice-chancellor and chief executive of Curtin Sarawak, Professor Ian Kerr.
According to Professor Kerr, the accreditation was achieved through stringent quality assessment by the MQA, and is an assurance to all stakeholders in higher education, such as students, parents and employers, that the programmes are quality-assured by the MQA.
“Accreditation of programmes by the MQA has many advantages. Besides being a benchmark for quality programmes, it allows enrolled students to apply for loans from funding agencies such as the National Higher Education Fund. It also facilitates credit transfer for students moving between institutions, and also allows them to be considered for employment in the public sector,” Professor Kerr added.
Section 81 of the Malaysian Qualifications Agency Act 2007 (Act 679) provides that the MQA shall establish and maintain the Malaysian Qualifications Register as the reference point for accredited programmes awarded by higher education providers.
“We are most pleased that our accredited qualifications are registered and available for reference to all stakeholders in the Malaysian Qualifications Register, and we will continue to ensure that all our programmes are validated and accredited within the prescribed qualifications framework in the country. We are now, of course, equally pleased the accredited qualifications are also recognised by JPA,” said Professor Kerr.
The Curtin Sarawak qualifications listed include the Bachelor of Arts (Mass Communication), Bachelor of Business Administration, and Bachelor of Commerce with single and double majors in various areas of study.
Engineering, science and technology qualifications listed are the Bachelor of Engineering with majors in Chemical Engineering and Electronic Communication Engineering; Bachelor of Science with majors in Applied Geology and Computer Science; and Bachelor of Technology majoring in Computer Systems and Networking.
Pre-university, professional and postgraduate qualifications listed are the Foundation Studies – Commerce & Arts Stream and Engineering & Science Stream; Diploma in Business and Diploma in Process Plant Technology; Graduate Certificate in Business, Graduate Diploma in Business, Master of Business Administration, Master of Philosophy, Master of Science (Project Management) and Doctor of Philosophy.
