Anniversary Cake together with Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor and CEO Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Professor Ajay Kapoor (fourth left) as others look on during the event at Kuching’s Waterfront Hotel, yesterday. PHOTO: AHMAD ISKANDAR
KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari bin Tun Openg commended the proactive approach that has been taken by Swinburne Sarawak to secure or embark on research projects that are specific to and important to Sarawak. He said apart from the many features that make Swinburne Sarawak what it is today, one that stands out most is its focus on research.
Johari stressed that institutions of higher learning must not be “closed” entities but instead they must be open and work with businesses, industries, the community, and other stakeholders.
“This is necessary to ensure a better understanding of the demands of industry, the latest business practices, setting industry standards, and so forth,” he stressed at Swinburne’s 25th Anniversary Celebration Gala at the Ranyai Ballroom, The Waterfront Hotel, in Kuching yesterday.
He also emphasaised out that engagement with the relevant stakeholders ensured graduates were in touch with issues of the day and that could arise in the future, so that they would be prepared and able to meet the skills and knowledge required of them.
However, in the pursuit of advancing Sarawak to greater heights, through the building of physical infrastructure and the likes, he cautioned that there must not be any compromise on natural environment. The expertise and knowledge that Swinburne Sarawak graduates possess will be much needed to drive, maintain and support the ecosystem of the new digital economy, the Chief Minister said.
“Our graduates are an important factor in our plans for a digital Sarawak and to the spinoff that will arise. But in order to succeed and to sustain the development plans that have been laid out, the retention of our home-grown talents/graduates is of paramount importance,” he said. Johari called on local businesses and industries to help retain local graduates in a manner that benefits both employers and employees.
Since its establishment in 2000, Swinburne University has contributed significantly to Sarawak, Johari pointed out In his speech, Professor Ajay Kapoor, Acting Deputy Vice- Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus said Sarawak Campus emerged as the highest ranking international university in Borneo based on Times Higher Education’s inaugural Asia- Pacific University Ranking 2017.
Earlier this month Swinburne Sarawak was awarded five –star rating in the Ministry of Higher Education’s latest Malaysia Rating for University and University College Excellence (or SETARA) 2017), in the Mature University category.
