KUCHING – Engineers Australia Malaysia Chapter (EAMC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus on 15 July, pledging more support for Swinburne’s engineering academicians and students.
Signing on behalf of EAMC was its President Ir Dennis Ong, while Swinburne Sarawak was represented by its Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer Ir Professor Lau Hieng Ho.
Swinburne Sarawak and EAMC are eager to renew their close relations after the first MoU was signed in 2014 for the purpose of promoting cooperation and collaboration between both parties. EAMC has been supporting the Engineers Australia Swinburne Sarawak Student Section (EASSSS) in finance, advice and guidance over the past few years. EAMC has also provided platforms for the engineering faculty at Swinburne Sarawak to develop future leaders for the engineering community within Malaysia and throughout the world.
Ong explained that EAMC was established in 1994 with the aim of promoting and advancing the science and profession of engineering in any or all of its disciplines and also facilitating the exchange of information and ideas related to engineering.
“Due to the lockdown during the Covid-19 pandemic, we had our first virtual Annual General Meeting, allowing members outside Kuala Lumpur and Selangor to be elected as part of the committee. We are glad to have Sarawak members from Swinburne Sarawak actively involved in EAMC and as committee members.
“The key point of this MoU signing is to support eligible Swinburne Sarawak students who excel in selected fields of study with the provision of industry awards. We would also like to identify opportunities for joint efforts in research and development and facilitate connections between Swinburne Sarawak alumni and EAMC, particularly for employment opportunities. We will also support Swinburne Sarawak’s industry-engaged teaching and learning activities, inviting relevant EAMC experts to sit on the university’s programme advisory panel and conduct guest lectures. In addition, we will explore possible collaborations on STEM outreach and CSR activities,” he said.
Ir Professor Lau Hieng Ho (front row, fifth left), Ir Dennis Ong (front row, centre) and other attendees at the MoU signing ceremony.
Professor Lau said, “Swinburne Sarawak has about 20 academic engineering staff successfully registered with Engineers Australia as chartered professional engineers for the past two years, and we expect more staff to get the chartered professional engineer status with Engineers Australia.
“Swinburne Sarawak has also collaborated with EAMC in many events. For example, we successfully held the ASEAN Australian Engineering Congress 2022 (AAEC2022) at TEGAS Digital Village from 12 to 14 July 2022,” he added.
After the MoU signing ceremony, Swinburne Sarawak co-hosted the Engineers Australia Overseas Chapters (Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong) Dialogue Session for 2022. Professor Lau welcomed Engineers Australia Singapore and Hong Kong Chapters to collaborate with Swinburne Sarawak and visit the university.
Also present at the MoU signing ceremony were EAMC Secretary Ir Chew Wen Yuen, EAMC Treasurer Dr Daniel Kong, EAMC committee members Ir Ali R Ebadi and Dr Yeu Yee Lee, Engineers Australia Regional Business Development Manager Astley Pung, EAMC co-opted committee member (Sarawak) Ir Dr Choo Chung Siung, EAMC sub-committee members Ir Dr Chew Jiuan Jing and Ir Tan Kian Hwa, Engineers Australia Singapore Chapter committee member Dr Koh Yit Yan, as well as Ir David Lai Kong Phooi, Ir Liew Choon Kong and Colin Chew Cheng Wei.
Engineers Australia Singapore and Hong Kong Chapters also joined virtually to witness the MoU signing ceremony between EAMC and Swinburne Sarawak.
For more information on Swinburne Sarawak, visit its website (www.swinburne.edu.my), Facebook page (@swinburnesarawak), Instagram (@swinburnesarawak), Twitter page (@Swinburne_Swk) or YouTube channel (Swinburne Sarawak).