KUCHING – Swinburne Sarawak added another feather to its cap of 2024 achievements when staff members from the Sarawak campus were recognised across three categories in the 2024 Vice-Chancellor Awards.
A team comprised of academic and professional staff members won the Vice-Chancellor’s One Swinburne Award, while a team of academics received the Highly Commended recognition in the Vice-Chancellor’s Future-Focused Award category and lecturer Marione Anne Foo received the Highly Commended recognition in the Vice-Chancellor’s Teaching Excellence Award (Higher Education) category.
The Vice-Chancellor’s One Swinburne Award recognised the team driving the English Enhancement Program (EEP) initiative. Since it first commenced in 2022, eight intakes have been carried out to great success, with a steady increase in enrolment numbers over time.
The EEP’s success lies in its comprehensive curriculum which aims to strengthen students’ English language skills while developing essential social and academic confidence that enables students to transition smoothly into university life. The program also serves as a platform to provide equitable educational opportunities to students from rural and suburban locations across 45 districts in Sarawak, with approximately 70% of students across the EEP intakes transitioning into Swinburne Sarawak’s main programs.
The successful completion of each EEP intake requires collaboration from various departments and faculties to deliver a program that covers English language classes, motivational talks, experimental activities and hands-on workshops. The winning team itself is a large one, comprising of colleagues from Business Development and Liaison, Marketing and Student Recruitment, the Learning and Teaching Unit, and the Student Engagement Unit.
Student Engagement Officer Ms Sarah Supahan described the level of collaboration required: “They say it takes a village, and this journey has truly proven that. It reinforces that success is never the result of one person’s work alone, but the combined strength of a village working in unison with purpose and care.”
The program’s main lead, Learning and Teaching Unit lecturer Ms Marione Anne Foo, concurred and said that the Award reinforced the power of unity and cross-campus efforts in making a lasting impact, and served as a reminder that “when we work together, we can create meaningful change and drive positive outcomes for our students and the university.”
Coincidentally, Ms Marione was also recognised this year as the Highly Commended Individual for the Teaching Excellence Award (Higher Education) category.
Learning and Teaching Unit lecturer, Marione Anne Foo.
She was awarded the recognition for her work on the EEP, where she combines innovative teaching methods, interactive learning and a supportive environment that empowers students from diverse backgrounds while creating a solid foundation for their tertiary education journey.
Assistant Manager for Business Development Mr Mohamad Safaree spoke highly of Marione’s commitment to the EEP. “Marione’s unwavering commitment to supporting students as they transition, cultivating a sense of belonging, and promoting active participation in all activities is truly commendable,” he said. “Her passion and creativity not only elevate the program’s effectiveness but also ensure it leaves a lasting, positive impact, empowering students to succeed academically and socially.”
When asked about the significance of the award in her journey as an educator, Marione shared how it is a motivation for her to continue striving for excellence in teaching. “As an educator, my primary goal has always been to empower students to reach their full potential, and this recognition affirms the importance of those efforts. (This award) reminds me of the privilege and responsibility of being an educator – shaping lives, fostering growth, and instilling confidence in students.”
Aside from the EEP, a team of academics received the Highly Commended recognition in the Vice-Chancellor’s Future-Focused Award category for another key program known as the STREAM program. The team comprises academics from the FBDA (Faculty of Business, Design and Arts), FECS (Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science) and the SoFS (School of Foundation Studies).
The STREAM program team which received the Highly Commended recognition in the Vice-Chancellor’s Future-Focused Award category. The team consists of FBDA lecturer Dr Ling Chui Ching (far left), FECS senior lecturer Dr Irine Runnie Henry Ginjom (second left), SoF lecturer Shella Georgina Beatrice (centre), FBDA senior lecturer Su Sueh Ing (second right), and FBDA senior lecturer Dr Yii Kwang Jing (far right).
Through STREAM, they deliver technology-focused, interactive learning to rural learners with the aim to bridge educational gaps. The program focuses on indigenous-majority rural communities and to date, have engaged over 1,800 rural learners while also organising ‘Train-the-Teachers’ workshops for local educators which enables long-term educational development in rural schools.
One of their team members, FECS senior lecturer Dr Irine Runnie Ginjom, described the team’s commitment to the program: “Our six years of collaboration as a diverse team of lecturers from various disciplines stand as a powerful testament to our unwavering commitment to inspiring and empowering younger generations – especially those from rural areas – to explore and pursue careers in STEM education.”
It is precisely this commitment and a collaborative spirit that kept the STREAM program continuously active as they worked through challenges such as budget constraints and the COVID-19 pandemic.
When speaking on the impact of the program and the recognition received, the program’s main lead, SoFS lecturer Ms Shella Georgina Beatrice, shared that the achievement was a validation of the team’s effort, inspiring them to go beyond their comfort zones and to continue encouraging the rural community to achieve their dreams via continuous learning especially in STEM fields.
Fellow team member FDBA senior lecturer Su Sueh Ing added, “This recognition also signifies that our work serving the indigenous-majority rural communities across Sarawak aligns with Swinburne’s Values of future-focused, innovation, impact, and proactive initiatives. We will continue to look and move forward into the future to create positive impact.”
Reflecting on the significance of these awards, Ms Sarah shared her thoughts on what the One Swinburne Award meant to her: “On a personal level, this award reminds me of the core reasons we chose to be in our roles, whether as academics or professional staff. Our shared mission has always been to guide and support students throughout their university journey, ensuring they receive the best care and education possible. It inspires us to provide exceptional experiences, instilling in students the confidence and motivation to succeed – just as they have inspired us through their own journeys.”
The annual Swinburne Vice-Chancellor’s Awards acknowledges Swinburne staff members across all their campuses who have demonstrated excellence in their contributions that exemplify and bring the university’s values to life. This year’s Awards continue to celebrate the university’s values through the theme “One Swinburne: Celebrating our Values in Action”.
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