KUCHING – More than 280 top students pursuing their studies at Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus were presented with scholarships and awards totalling more than RM2.5 million, yesterday (12 October, 2016).
The students are from foundation, degree, and postgraduate programs and included Malaysian and international students.
Among them were 10 PhD students pursuing research in business, engineering and science.
Representatives from Ernst and Young, KPMG and Sarawak Information Systems (SAINS) also presented their respective awards.
“The scholarships and awards acknowledge the work that you’ve done. They also recognise the work and support that you’ve received from your schools, parents, and family members in getting you here today,” said Swinburne Sarawak Deputy Vice-Chancellor and CEO Professor Janet Gregory in congratulating the students.
“It’s always a competitive process but you’ve demonstrated that you are very deserving by your outstanding academic or extra-curricular activities.”
Swinburne Sarawak, Gregory said, is committed to provide the support, infrastructure and expertise including collaboration and partnerships with industry.
“It’s very much a Swinburne ethos to engage with industry and to understand the real world you are going out into for work purposes, so that it’s not just a theoretical degree,” she said, adding that the university will continue to make arrangements such as opportunities for students to undertake projects with companies or internships.
“We believe this really helps so that by the time you go out to work you’ve got very good experience and understanding of the workforce. We are therefore preparing you for your career whilst you’re doing your degree.
“Our close ties with industry also mean that our courses are very up to date and relevant. They are focused on what is needed by employers so that you can apply those skills when you graduate.”
It is not surprising that given these factors the university has a high employability rate every year, Gregory said, adding that over 90% get jobs within six months of graduating.
“Swinburne is recognised and it was named among the top 200 universities in the world for graduate employability by the 2016 QS World University Rankings. That’s another indication of how well we do in that area.”
While studies and career are vital, she also urged the students to strike a balance by getting involved in extra-curricular activities.
“You also need to develop the skills and ability to work with other people, to demonstrate leadership and to be able to solve problems. That’s also an important part of making you job ready as well.”
In this respect, Gregory encouraged the students to use the opportunity on campus to meet students and staff from different countries.
“We have students from about 60 countries so it’s a fantastic melting pot of people from all around the world. It’s an opportunity to learn about different cultures, experience and perspectives and to be able appreciate the points of view of other people, which is also a skill in the 21st century.”
Ernst and Young’s Best Student in Bachelor of Business (Accounting) in Year 1 award was presented to Law Siew Li, while the Year 2 award went to Pang Yee Lin.
Adrian Chan Yong Min was the winner of KPMG’s Best Student in Bachelor of Business (Accounting and Finance) Year 2 award.
Eva Cheong Chiek Hua and Artur Muravyev received SAINS’ Best Student in Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology in Year 1 and Year 2 awards, respectively.
Its Best Student in Bachelor of Computer Science Year 1 award went to Wilson Ting Chun Heng while Terence Thian Chia Hung took the Year 2 award.
