Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus
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]
| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Established | 2000 |
| Chancellor | Professor John Pollaers OAM |
| Vice-Chancellor | Professor Pascale Quester |
| Pro-Chancellor | The Right Honourable Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg |
| Students | 4,000 (2015)[1] |
| Location | , 1°31′55″N 110°21′25″E |
| Campus | Urban |
| Website | swinburne |
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]
Swinburne University of Technology in Australia and the State Government of Sarawak, is the highest ranking international university in Borneo based on the inaugural Asia-Pacific University Ranking 2017 by Times Higher Education (THE) released on 4 July 2017.
Location
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 Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer Professor John Wilson.
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
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:
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
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
With the goal of bringing researchers from different disciplines under one roof to facilitate change, to make unlikely partners so that they can create something new, the Centre is focused on applied research, research which has practical daily applications.
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. Industries that undertake research with Swinburne through SWIM will be entitled to tax breaks that will encourage collaboration and ensure projects are focussed on value adding research outcomes and research impact for the industry partners to improve their innovation and competitiveness.
References
- "Australian deputy high commissioner impressed with university". Swinburne University. Retrieved 14 September 2012.
- "About Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus". Swinburne Sarawak Website. Archived from the original on 21 July 2015. Retrieved 1 December 2008.
- "Swinburne Sarawak achieves University status". Fiona Perry. Media Unit, Swinburne University of Technology. 11 June 2004. Retrieved 6 December 2008.
- "About Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus". Swinburne Sarawak Website. Retrieved 1 December 2008.
- "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.
- "Infrastructure, foresight key factors: CM". The Borneo Post. 24 August 2008. Retrieved 29 August 2008.
- 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.
- "Campus Expansion". Swinburne University. Retrieved 6 December 2008.
