Hands-on learning for students
ONE thing students at Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus can look forward to in their studies is hands-on, real work experience. Recently, a group of undergraduates majoring in bachelor of multimedia design completed an interactive three-dimensional directory for a development company’s upcoming shopping mall.
The managing director of the company was so impressed that he offered the final year students jobs.
Another group of final year business students are working on strategies for a district council in Sarawak to help draw tourists to the town and elevate the economic standard of the people. They have 12 weeks to complete and present what the district council says must be “realistic and practical” proposals as they may be adapted and implemented.
These are some of the industry engagement experience students can expect at Swinburne Sarawak.
The development of the skills graduates need to gain employment or set up new businesses are the emphasis of a Swinburne education.
The university provides students with a structured range of development opportunities, including complementary studies called Electives Plus and options to speed up or spread out their studies.
Swinburne Sarawak is also one of the institutions that provided training of human capital for the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) programme, a major initiative to develop the central region of the state by 2020.
For the last two years, the university has designed and conducted courses specified by the state government to train the human capital needed for the industries earmarked for growth.
The confidence the state government has in Swinburne Sarawak is based on the university’s long track record of close links to industry.
”Swinburne has a history of over 100 years of offering training, education and research designed to support industry and we engage in a range of training and education experiences,” said Sarawak campus acting pro vice-chancellor and chief executive, Prof Ken Heskin.
Clearly, even from the beginning Swinburne has its roots in hands-on learning. It pioneered industry-based learning in the 1960s. A not-forprofit university, Swinburne has a reputation in Australia for its practical, career-oriented programmes.
The university’s close links with industries ensure that its programmes are in tandem with the future needs of industries. Swinburne Sarawak’s programmes are accredited by professional bodies.
Later this year, it hopes to add chemical engineering to its list of engineering majors.
On campus its 4,000 students, of which about 20% hail from over 50 countries, have access to technologically advanced facilities.
Two blocks of fully furnished and Wi-fi-enabled hostels on campus accommodate more than 420 students. Its off-campus hostels are only minutes away, and houses and apartments are easily available for private rental.
Swinburne Sarawak is one of only 18 institutions rated ‘Excellent’ in the Malaysian Qualifications Agency’s Rating System for Malaysian Higher Education Institutions (SETARA ‘09).
It was also awarded self-accreditation status by the MQA, signifying the university has an effective quality assurance system that meets the stringent MQA criteria and requirements. This recognition gives Swinburne Sarawak the autonomy to accredit its programmes internally without going through the MQA.
Internationally, Swinburne has been ranked among the top 3% of universities by the Academic Ranking of World Universities (2011), the QS World University Rankings (2010), and ranked as the best university in Melbourne by the Good Universities Guide for teaching quality (2007-2010) and graduate satisfaction (2007, 2008 and 2010).
For details visit www.swinburne.edu.my, call 082 - 415 353 or e-mail study@swinburne. edu.my. Its regional office in Subang Jaya, Selangor, can be reached at 03 - 5637 2202.