KUCHING: Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus conferred awards to 311 of its students at the university’s 19th graduation ceremony held at Pullman Kuching yesterday.

The group consists of 286 graduands and 22 graduates from the Master of Business Administration (International), Master of Human Resource Management, Master of Construction Management, Master of Science (Research), and Master of Arts (TESOL) programmes.

Three graduates were conferred the Doctor of Philosophy in engineering, science and business namely Raj Sekar Sethu, Jing Wenlong and Tay Jia Jun. The Sarawak campus has produced 32 PhD graduates since 2012.

Raj, who received his PhD in engineering, pursued his doctorate at Swinburne as part of the industry-academia partnership with his employer X-FAB Sarawak Sdn Bhd. He said the opportunity to further his studies has not only allowed him to expand his knowledge and advance his career but also helped to create industry-focused research presence here in Sarawak.

Jing spent four years in Sarawak after receiving a full scholarship to complete his PhD at Swinbume. Commenting on his overall experience, the Sichuan native from China attributed his success to his supervisors, comfortable learning environment and well-equipped facilities at Swinburne.

“My journey with Swinburne has allowed me to visit many places in Sarawak, Australia, New Zealand and other countries. I’m also proud to be part of the research team at Swinburne to install solar panels to provide cheap, clean energy at various longhouses in Sarawak,” said Jing.

Meanwhile, 157 graduated from the Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science and 99 received their awards from the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Civil, Electrical and Electronic, Mechanical, Robotics and Mechatronics, and Chemical Engineering programmes, while nine were awarded the Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology programme.

For the Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology; and Bachelor of Computer Science, 12 and 15 students graduated from the programmes respectively.

The graduates comprise Malaysian students and students from Bangladesh, China, Eritrea, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Yemen and Zimbabwe.

Graduate representative Deshan Anselam Benhur from Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) thanked everyone who supported them along the way and was grateful that they were taught by people who were passionate in what they do.

The event was graced by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg who is the Pro Chancellor of Swinburne Sarawak and, and Chancellor of Swinburne University of Technology and Presiding Officer Professor John Pollaers.

Present were Chairman Council and Board of Directors of Swinburne Sarawak and Sarawak State Secretary and Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani; Vice Chancellor and President of Swinburne University of Technology Professor Linda Kristjanson; Deputy Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer of Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus Professor John Wilson: University Council Members; Board of Directors; and Executive Group members of the university.

It was the first time Professor Pollaers joined the ceremony at the Sarawak campus since his appointment as Chancellor in February. At present, Professor Pollaers is Chairman of the Austrailan Advanced Manufacturing Council, Chairman of the Australian Industry and Skills Committee, and Chair of the Aged Care Workforce Strategy Taskforce for the federal government.

Swinbume’s Sarawak campus is an Australian university with the main campus based in Melbourne, Australia. The university offers quality and affordable Australian education where the courses offered are identical to those at the Melbourne campus. Upon completion of their studies, students receive awards directly from the Melbourne campus that allows graduates to widen their job prospects locally and abroad.

Swinburne’s overall Graduate Employability Rate is approximately 92 per cent where graduates are hired within six months after completing their studies. The university is also currently placed in JobStreet.com Top 10 Preferred Private University in Malaysia listing.

For more information about Swinburne, visit www.swinburne.edu.my, Facebook page (@swinburnesarawak), lnstagram (@swinburnesarawak), Twitter Page (@Swinburne_swk) or YouTube channel (Swinburne Sarawak).