Miri – 29 June, 2009 – 36 sixth formers of SMK Bandar Sarikei, Sarikei, made good use of their recent school holidays by paying a familiarisation visit to Curtin University of Technology, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak).
The students were received by staff of Curtin Sarawak’s Corporate Communications and Student Recruitment Departments, who later briefed them on various aspects of the university, Curtin University’s first international campus and the first foreign university campus to be established in East Malaysia.
Student Recruitment Officer Michael Kong briefing the students
Student Recruitment Officer Michael Kong briefed them on the academic programmes available, which range from pre-university courses in commerce and art, engineering and science, and diploma courses in process plant technology, occupational health and safety, and business; to degree courses in arts (mass communication), commerce, business engineering, science and technology, as well as postgraduate programmes in various fields.
Kong also highlighted the importance of English language competency for enrollment in Curtin Sarawak. As all programmes are conducted in English, it is imperative that students have a good command of the language, he said.
However, those who do not meet the university’s English language requirements can enroll in its Intensive English Programme or IEP, which has proven very successful in preparing students for entry into their desired programmes of study.
The students were also briefed on financial aid and student exchange programmes available to students at Curtin Sarawak. These include the Western Australian Premier’s Scholarship which is awarded by the Government of Western Australia to five deserving Curtin Sarawak students each year to complete their studies at Curtin’s main campus in Perth.
“The scholarship is special as it is granted exclusively to students of Curtin Sarawak. If you are one of the five, you needn’t worry about finances so long as you continue to do well in your studies”, said Kong, who went to cite other examples of scholarships and study loans available to students.
A tour of the university’s state-of-the-art campus followed the briefing. They were shown the various schools and research facilities, teaching and learning facilities, as well as the wide range of campus facilities for students, such as the ICT and engineering labs, library, campus cafeteria and bookshop.
Students listening to the briefing
