Get ahead of the game with a Curtin Project Management qualification

Consider Curtin’s distinctive Project Management programme, one of the first to adopt a generic approach.

Miri – 25 March, 2010 – Talented individuals holding undergraduate degrees wishing to  further their education, increase their skill and knowledge base and advance their careers through postgraduate study might want to consider the distinctive Project Management programme offered by Curtin University of Technology, Sarawak Campus (Curtin Sarawak).

Our project management courses are in fact among the first to be generic rather than industry-specific, and are furthermore endorsed by the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education and endorsed by the Australian Institute of Project Management and the Malaysian Qualifications Agency.”

He added that the Australian Department of Education, Science and Training has predicted that project management will be the fastest-growing occupation by this year, and Curtin is offering its Project Management programmes in Australia and Sarawak to help meet the growing global demand for project management professionals.

In Curtin’s Graduate Certificate in Project Management course, students examine project management and its processes, including history, definitions, attributes, body of knowledge, objectives and success. They explore the characteristics and activities of the project life cycle, along with the functions of planning, organisation and control, as well as consider cost and value management processes within a project environment, including methods and techniques of estimating, budgeting and controlling.

Time management is also a focus of the course, covering time programming and scheduling, line of balance, time estimating, constraints, resources, control monitoring, analysis and reporting.

Their studies will be supported by an exploration of organisational development and the design of organisational structures, including perceptions, personality, motivation, leadership, group processes, performance appraisal, conflict and work redesign.

The structure of this course varies depending on which semester students commence their studies in.

Students to gain an exceptional learning experience through quality teaching and learning environment, reputation of academics and application of up-to-date methodologies and technologies.

Entering the Graduate Certificate in Project Management course requires an appropriate Bachelor degree from a recognised tertiary institution and a minimum of two years’ relevant work experience, or a minimum of five years’ relevant management experience.

The Graduate Diploma in Project Management course, meanwhile, requires an appropriate Bachelor degree from a recognised tertiary institution and a minimum of two years’ relevant work experience, or a Graduate Certificate in Project Management.

The course builds on the curriculum of the graduate certificate to include topics in project quality, risk and procurement management and managerial effectiveness. Students will explore the application of quality management to projects, including planning, assurance, certification, audits, control, training, benchmarking and best practice. They will identify types of risks and learn risk analysis techniques. The function of contracting and procurement, and the acquisition process and contract administration are also examined.

In addition, they will develop skills effective managers use in order to carry out the people-oriented tasks of management.

For both these courses, applications for recognition of prior learning are assessed on an individual basis. The fee-paying courses are for one-year part-time study.

The Master of Science (Project Management) course builds on the curriculum of the graduate diploma to incorporate studies in strategic planning, stakeholder management, communication management and project management information systems. Students will also prepare and develop an individual research project report under the guidance of experienced academic staff.

The prerequisite for entry to the Master of Science (Project Management) course is an appropriate Bachelor degree from a recognised tertiary institution and a minimum two years’ relevant work experience, or a Graduate Certificate in Project Management. Applications for recognition of prior learning are assessed on an individual basis.

To specifically address the shortage of project management professionals in Sarawak, Curtin Sarawak recently announced that it is collaborating with Kuching’s Centre for Modern Management (CMM) to offer the Master of Science (Project Management) course in Kuching commencing on 17 May this year.

This followed the signing of a MoU between the two institutions on 22 January 2010 for the joint development and promotion of consultancy and training programmes in Sarawak.

Top lecturers and professionals from Curtin University of Technology in Perth and Curtin Sarawak will travel frequently to Kuching to conduct the course at CCM’s premises at Km. 20, Jalan Kuching-Serian, Semenggok.

The course not only has immediate relevance to the local and international industry but is also designed to meet future challenges.

Further benefits to students include career enhancement without having to take a career break, flexibility to balance study/work/life with support from a dedicated team, chance to build a global network of professional contacts, increased confidence and exposure to broader management issues, and of course, an internationally recognised qualification of high standard.

Those interested to enroll in the course in Kuching can contact Alex Chung at +60 85 443 939 or e-mail [email protected].