Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus

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Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus
TypePrivate
Established2000
ChancellorProfessor John Pollaers OAM
Vice-ChancellorProfessor Pascale Quester
Pro-ChancellorThe Right Honourable Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg
Students4,000 (2015)[1]
Location
Kuching
,
Sarawak, Malaysia

1°31′55″N 110°21′25″E / 1.53194°N 110.35694°E / 1.53194; 110.35694Coordinates: 1°31′55″N 110°21′25″E / 1.53194°N 110.35694°E / 1.53194; 110.35694
CampusUrban
Websiteswinburne.edu.my

Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus is the foreign branch campus of Swinburne University and is located in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. Established in 2000, Swinburne Sarawak operates as a partnership between the Sarawak State Government and Swinburne Australia. The initiative behind the Sarawak campus is part of a long term strategy by Swinburne Australia to "globalize its operations and provide its students with international living, working and learning opportunities".[2]

The Swinburne Sarawak campus operates as a full-fledged branch campus, joining three other Swinburne campuses in Melbourne, Australia, and is under the academic control of Swinburne's Higher Education Division in Australia. Courses offered are identical to those available in Melbourne and graduates are awarded Australian testamurs.[3]

History[]

As a result of close ties between Sarawak and Australia, the Swinburne University of Technology of Melbourne, Australia was identified by the State Government as a viable partner in assisting the state's educational needs.[4] Following the long-term strategy by Swinburne Australia,[2] and the approval of the then Minister of Education of Malaysia, Najib Tun Razak in 1999, [5] the Swinburne Sarawak Institute of Technology was set up within a State Office Complex building at Jalan Simpang Tiga, Kuching, Sarawak.

Operating as a partnership between the Sarawak Foundation and the Sarawak Higher Education Foundation, the campus welcomed the first batch of 130 students in August 2000.[6]

Swinburne Sarawak Institute of Technology was officially granted status as a university branch campus on 10 June 2004, effectively becoming Swinburne's sixth and latest campus, joining five other campuses in Melbourne, Australia. The university was since then known as Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak Campus and was, at the time, the fifth branch campus university in the country. Student population was at 700.[3][7]

Work on a campus expansion started in late 2005. The project was wholly funded by the Sarawak Government.[8] Construction on the extended campus was completed in August 2008.[2][8] Eight new custom designed buildings were added to the campus, increasing the total number of buildings to 12. These greatly improve teaching, research, student accommodation and other facilities as well as permit further expansion of courses and students, particularly in engineering and science.

Consistent with the aspirations of the 2025 Swinburne Strategic Plan that supports the university’s mission of fostering student success, creates a positive and vibrant campus environment, and encourages growing student population, up to RM50 million has been invested into further transforming the Sarawak campus throughout the course of 2019-22.

Location[]

Building G, which was formerly a state office complex

Swinburne Sarawak is located on a 6.5 ha (16.5 acre) campus in Jalan Simpang Tiga, Kuching.

The campus is located about 10 minutes away from the city centre. It is surrounded by commercial and residential areas with easy access to malls, eateries, banks, hospitals and clinics, houses of worship, supermarkets, and more.

Kuching is one of the most affordable and multicultural Malaysian cities, making it an ideal study destination. With its welcoming community and safe environment, coupled by the many attractions and festivals held annually, the city is more than just about the quality Australian education it offers.

Administration[]

The university operates as a Branch Campus of Swinburne University of Technology, of Melbourne, Australia. It is 75% owned by the Sarawak Government and 25% owned by Swinburne, Australia.

Swinburne Sarawak's day-to-day affairs is administered by Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer Ir. Professor Lau Hieng Ho.[9]

The current Chief Minister of Sarawak The Right Honourable Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg was installed as its third Pro Chancellor in October 2017.

Faculties and programmes[]

Tutorial rooms

Education at Swinburne focuses on building Future-Ready Learners who are confident, enterprising and highly competent for workplace of the future. Students can opt to do a single degree or double degrees where the latter is a great way to enhance students’ skills and knowledge, and enables them to work across multiple disciplines and industries with greater flexibility.

At the Sarawak campus, there are two Faculties, seven Schools and more than 25 programmes namely:

Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science[]

School of Engineering[]

  • Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Civil Engineering
  • Master of Construction Management by Coursework

School of Information and Communications Technologies[]

  • Computer Science (major in Cybersecurity, Internet of Things, Software Development or Data Science)
  • Information and Communication Technology (major in Network Technology or Software Technology)

School of Chemical Engineering and Science[]

  • Chemical Engineering
  • Biotechnology
  • Environmental Science

Faculty of Business, Design and Arts[]

School of Business[]

  • Accounting
  • Accounting and Finance
  • Finance
  • Human Resource Management
  • International Business
  • Management
  • Management and Digital Media
  • Marketing
  • Master of Business Administration (International) by Coursework

School of Design and Arts[]

  • Multimedia Design
  • Graphic Design
  • Master of Arts (TESOL) by Coursework

Diploma[]

  • Diploma of Business Management

Swinburne’s Diploma of Business Management with a specialisation in Management is a 2.5-year programme that provides students with the knowledge and skills to enter the workforce directly or progress into a degree programme upon completion at the Sarawak or Melbourne campus. It is available for school-leavers who have completed SPM, O Level or any other equivalent qualifications.

The undergraduate degree programmes are available to students who have completed the Swinburne Foundation Studies, STPM, A Level or other equivalent qualifications. The programmes focus on practical skills where students can benefit from opportunities to connect with industry and engage in interdisciplinary projects.

In addition to the postgraduate degree by coursework programmes, the university also offers postgraduate degree by research. It is available for those with a recognised bachelor degree and students can study on a part-time or full-time basis.

School of Foundation Studies[]

  • Business
  • Design
  • Information Technology/Multimedia
  • Engineering/Science

In addition to the listed programmes, the School of Foundation Studies also offers six Intensive English courses. Foundation Studies is a pre-university preparatory course designed to help students meet the entry requirements for bachelor’s degree studies. It is available for school-leavers who have completed SPM, O Level or any other equivalent qualifications.

School of Research[]

Among the focal areas for the School of Research are to double the number of postgraduate research students, increase research impact, grow research funding and promote better collaboration with Swinburne Melbourne and the rest of the world.

Centre for Digital Futures[]

The Centre is focused on applied research.

Swinburne Innovation Malaysia Sdn Bhd (SWIM)[]

As the subsidiary company and commercial arm of the university, SWIM aims to encourage industry in Malaysia to invest in R&D activities undertaken by researchers at Swinburne Sarawak.

References[]

  1. ^ "Australian deputy high commissioner impressed with university". Swinburne University. Retrieved 14 September 2012.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c "About Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus". Swinburne Sarawak Website. Archived from the original on 21 July 2015. Retrieved 1 December 2008.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b "Swinburne Sarawak achieves University status". Fiona Perry. Media Unit, Swinburne University of Technology. 11 June 2004. Retrieved 6 December 2008.
  4. ^ "About Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus". Swinburne Sarawak Website. Retrieved 1 December 2008.
  5. ^ "Swinburne Sarawak Institute of Technology Builds End-to-End Cisco Systems Data, Voice and Video Integrated Network" (Press release). Cisco Systems, Inc. 9 February 2001. Archived from the original on 13 October 2003. Retrieved 1 December 2008.
  6. ^ "Infrastructure, foresight key factors: CM". The Borneo Post. 24 August 2008. Retrieved 29 August 2008.
  7. ^ Heather Crosling (Spring 2004). "It's official - Sarawak is Swinburne's newest university campus" (PDF). Swinburne News. Swinburne University of Technology: Swinburne Corporate Marketing Department. p. 12. Retrieved 1 December 2008.
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b "Campus Expansion". Swinburne University. Retrieved 6 December 2008.
  9. ^ "Welcome from Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer". Swinburne University, Sarawak, Malaysia. 21 February 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
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