Curtin students to chart a path for Miri Old Folks Home

MIRI: Marketing students of Curtin University Sarawak will be charting a strategy for Miri Old Folks Home, in a project as part of their curriculum.

They have learned more about the home following a talk by two representatives of the home, Yee Chow Seng and Pong Hon Kin, who jointly delivered the ‘lecture’ on the operation of the non-profit organisation ( NPO) home.

Also present were the head of the Marketing and Management Department of Curtin Sarawak’s School of Business, Dr Adriel Sim Khoon Seng and marketing lecturer Dr Joseph Sia Kee Ming.

The talk was a component of the students’ Marketing Professional Practice 300 unit which is compulsory for all Curtin marketing students.

Based on information provided during the talk, the students are required to act as consultants to the home and develop strategic recommendations for it.

According to Yee, the home was set up by the Chinese community in the early 1940s to serve as a clinic and lodging for elderly Chinese.

Currently, it is managed by the Miri Chinese Charitable Trust Board, and has over 20 residents. The elderly are referred by the Welfare Department, based on background and health checks.

He said over the years, the home received funding from the department and public donations. Among the challenges faced by the home are a shortage of funds and family issues.

Yee said the committee that manages the home, looks forward to the students’ recommendations for its continued improvement.