Our story
1998
Sarawak Government and Curtin University sign MoU for academic cooperation
Curtin (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd is incorporated
Curtin University receives Letter of Invitation from Ministry of Education Malaysia to establish campus in Miri
Construction of administration block and lecture theatre at temporary campus at Riam Road commences
1999
Construction of permanent 1200 acre campus in Senadin commences following ground-breaking by Education Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak
Associate Professor Frank Sheehy is appointed Academic Director and CEO, assisted by Mr Dennis Ham as Administration Officer
Initial academic and administrative staff are appointed
Curtin University of Technology, Sarawak Campus commences classes at Riam Road campus with 23 academic staff and 220 students
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam is appointed Chair of Curtin University of Technology, Sarawak Campus Council
2000
Curtin University of Technology, Sarawak Campus is formally registered as the first foreign branch campus in Malaysia by Ministry of Education
Curtin University confers Honorary Doctor of Technology on Chief Minister Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib bin Mahmud
Professor Kevin McKenna is appointed the first Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Curtin University of Technology, Sarawak Campus
Curtin Sarawak Research Fund (CSRF) to support staff initiatives in R&D is established
Graduation for first cohort of Foundation students is held
2001
Approval is given by Ministry of Education to enrol foreign students
Curtin University of Technology, Sarawak Campus is the first foreign branch campus awarded Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) status by the Malaysian Government
Site development at the new campus in Senadin procees on schedule
Curtin Chancellor Prof Harry Perkins visits Miri to review construction of the new campus
2002
Permanent campus in Senadin is opened by Chief Minister Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib bin Mahmud
Curtin University confers Honorary Doctor of Technology on Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam
Curtin University of Technology, Sarawak Campus hosts Higher Education for the 21st century Conference, its first international conference
First degree graduation ceremony for 204 students from commerce and engineering programs is held
2003
Western Australia Premier Dr Geoff Gallop visits campus and launches Western Premier’s Scholarships for Curtin University of Technology, Sarawak Campus students to undergo final-year studies at Curtin Perth
Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam is nominated to the Curtin University Council
Courses at Curtin University of Technology, Sarawak Campus grow from initial 4 in foundation and commerce in 1999 to 25 across various disciplines
Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia HE James Wise visits the campus
2004
Student population reaches 1,800 with a significant number of international students
Curtin University of Technology, Sarawak Campus hosts prestigious Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australia (HERDSA) Conference in Miri
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad visits Curtin University of Technology, Sarawak Campus
Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putra Jamalullail and Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak Tun Abang Muhammad Salahuddin visit Curtin University of Technology, Sarawak Campus
2005
The existence of Curtin University of Technology, Sarawak Campus is instrumental in Miri attaining city status on 20 May 2005, becoming Sarawak’s second city
Curtin University awards Assistant Minister of Infrastructure Development & Communications and Chair of Curtin University of Technology, Sarawak Campus’ Management Board Datuk Lee Kim Shin an Honorary Doctor of Letters
Professor Graham Lodwick is appointed Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive
2006
Curtin University confers Honorary Doctorate of Technology on Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Deputy Chief Minister and Chair of Curtin University of Technology, Sarawak Campus Council Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam officiates ground-breaking for second phase of campus development
Professor John Evans is appointed Pro-Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive
Curtin University of Technology, Sarawak Campus hosts its inaugural flagship Curtin University Technology, Science and Engineering (CUTSE) Conference
Curtin University of Technology, Sarawak Campus becomes the only university in Malaysia to win prestigious IChem, UK McNab Gold Award
2007
Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi visits Curtin University of Technology, Sarawak Campus
Minister of Higher Education Dato’ Mustapha Mohamed visits Curtin University of Technology, Sarawak Campus
2008
16 students are selected to be the first student ambassadors for John Curtin Leadership Academy (JCLA) at Curtin University of Technology, Sarawak Campus
First John Curtin Weekend held involving community projects in eight longhouses communities
Flagship Curtin University Technology, Science and Engineering (CUTSE) Conference is elevated to become an international conference
MSC Malaysia Incubator Initiative launched at Curtin University of Technology, Sarawak Campus in partnership with MSC Malaysia
2009
Curtin University of Technology, Sarawak Campus marks its 10th Anniversary with grand celebrations
Phase 2 buildings are completed and officially opened by Chief Minister Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib bin Mahmud
Site works for Sarawak Government owned and developed Miri Biovalley Project, later renamed Sarawak Biovalley Pilot Plant (SBPP) on campus commences
2010
Name of campus is changed to Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia as Curtin University of Technology rebrands itself as Curtin University
Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia achieves ‘Tier Five: Excellent’ rating in augural SETARA rating system
Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia is awarded self-accreditation status by Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA)
Professor Ian Kerr is appointed Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive
Schlumberger Petrel GIS Laboratory, Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia’s first industry-sponsored lab, is established
2011
Construction of RM10 million Library & Auditorium Complex commences following ground-breaking by Curtin University Sarawak Malaysia Council Chair Datuk Patinggi Dr George Chan Hong Nam and Curtin University Chancellor Dr Jim Gill
Curtin Sarawak Research Institute (CSRI) is launched
First ‘Enhancing Teaching: Teaching & Learning International Conference’ jointly hosted by Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia Teaching & Learning Committee and Curtin University’s Office of Assessment, Teaching and Learning is held
2012
Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia maintains ‘Tier 5: Excellent’ rating in SETARA
Assistant Minister of Early Childhood Education and Family Development Rosey Haji Yunus officiates ground-breaking ceremony for RM500,000 Azman Islamic Centre
Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia offers PhD scholarships for research study in science, engineering and business
2013
Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia is rated Tier 5: Excellent for Engineering in discipline-based D-SETARA rating system
Professor Jim Mienczakowski is appointed Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive
Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia receives first exchange students from main campus under AsiaBound program
Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia becomes an IELTS Associate and establishes IELTS Test Centre for Northen Sarawak
Researchers from Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia and UNIMAS develop world’s first index to assess traditional knowledge and language vitality simultaneously
2014
Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia retains ‘Tier 5:Excellent’ rating in SETARA for third consecutive time
Foundation stone for new Faculty of Engineering and Science building is laid by Pro-Chancellor Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam
Keysight Technologies – Curtin Reference Laboratory, the first industry-oriented reference laboratory in Sarawak, is established at Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia
2015
Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia hosts the first Global Communication Project (GlobCorn 2015) to be held in Malaysia, drawing delegates from across the world
Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia is the first foreign branch campus in Malaysia to host National Chemical Engineering Symposium
2016
Curtin University Chancellor Colin Beckett opens new RM20 million Faculty of Engineering and Science building
Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia contributes significantly to Curtin University’s attainment of accreditation by Association to Advanced Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Minister of Higher Education Dato’ Seri Idris Jusoh visits Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia
2017
Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia is rebranded Curtin University, Malaysia to reflect expanding footprint as Curtin’s largest global campus and hub in ASEAN
Curtin University, Malaysia continues to maintain self-accreditation status first awarded by MQA in 2010
Curtin University, Malaysia maintains ‘Tier 5: Excellent’ rating in SETARA for fourth consecutive time since 2009
Curtin-Pearson VUE Authorised Test Centre established in partnership with Pearson VUE
MyDigitalMaker Hub established in collaboration with Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDeC)
Sarawk Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari visits Curtin University, Malaysia
2018
Curtin University, Malaysia geologist Associate Professor Rajat Mazumder and international collaborators discover world’s second oldest rock
Curtin University and Curtin University, Malaysia renew partnership for a further 20 years with signing of new JVA
Curtin University, Malaysia’s Curtin Volunteers! mark 10 years of carrying out John Curtin Weekend community outreach programs
Curtin University, Malaysia hosts the first STEM Playground, Miri’s iconic annual STEM event
2019
Curtin University, Malaysia celebrates its 20th Anniversary with campus and community events
RM60 million Sarawak Biovalley Pilot Plant (SBPP) managed and operated by Curtin University, Malaysia subsidiary Curtin Biovalley Sdn Bhd commences operations
Largest-ever graduating cohort of 735 students graduate
Curtin Trading Room is launched, adding a new dimension to education at Curtin University, Malaysia
Computational Intelligence Centre for data analytics is set up
Green Electric Energy Centre is established to enhance teaching and research in renewable energy
2020
Bp40 Bursary and HGiPT Incentive schemes are launched at Curtin University, Malaysia making higher education more accesible to Bumiputera and rural students
Curtin Malaysia receives industry-sponsored state-of-the-art ARCHLine XP architectural design software for BIM (Building Information Modelling) education
Curtin University, Malaysia has nine projects approved under Ministry of Higher Education’s Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS) its highest number ever in a single year
Prof Simon Leunig is appointed Pro Vice-Chancellor and President of Curtin Malaysia
2021
Curtin University, Malaysia attains 4-star rating in Malaysia Research Assessment (MyRA) for the first time
Curtin University, Malaysia hosts Miri’s largest COVID-19 Vaccination Centre, allowing over 20,000 Miri residents to be vaccinated
Curtin University, Malaysia wins its first-ever Curtinnovation Award for research innovation ‘AgriSmartEye’
2022
Curtin University, Malaysia launches International Journal of Business and Legacies (IJBEL) in collaboration with Business Events Sarawak
Prof Ramasamy Nagarajan receives Curtin’s highest recognition for academics, becoming the first John Curtin Distinguished Professor to be awarded outside Australia
Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia Dr Justin Lee visits Curtin University, Malaysia
Curtin University, Malaysia establishes South China Sea Research Hub
Curtin University, Malaysia achieves ISO-IEC 17025 accreditation for its Faculty of Engineering and Science Testing Lab, becoming the second facility in Sarawak to be accredited for metallic materials testing
2023
ESG Hub established at Curtin University, Malaysia to foster sustainable practices
Curtin University, Malaysia hosts first STEM Trailblazers event in Sarawak
Curtin University, Malaysia joins forces with city councils in Miri, Kuching South and Sibu to create age-friendly cities and communities
Curtin University, Malaysia launches Malaysia’s first Regenerative Living Lab for Sustainable Tourism
Curtin University, Malaysia enters top ranks of institutions with most Advance HE Fellows in Malaysia
Curtin University, Malaysia wins its second Curtinnovation Award for research innovation, ‘Pine Sense’
Curtin Aquaculture Research Lab (CARL) is launched
2024
Curtin Malaysia celebrates 25 years of excellence in education, research, and partnerships