KUCHING – More than 90 Swinburne Sarawak students who are under the sponsorship of Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam (JPA) gathered together for a Q&A session with representatives of the department in campus recently.
The students, many of whom are in their first year of study at the various undergraduates programs and of which a majority are in the engineering disciplines at Swinburne Sarawak, were briefed on the role of the department by Saraya Arbi, the Deputy Director Human Capitol Development while Khairul Effandi bin Shafiee, Human Resource Officer, gave a talk on time and financial management.
“It is good to have representatives of JPA visit us here on campus,’ said Chin Kar Mun, a first year Mechatronics and Robotics engineering student. She said the visit by the funder is a good way for them to get feedback from the students. “To have a dialogue or a meeting session at least once a semester will be good’ add the 20-year old from Ipoh, Perak.
For Khairul Helmi bin Azhar, studying in Kuching was a big change. Having attended boarding school in Perak, Khairul is no stranger to living on his own. “Kuching is a small city, and there are lesser entertainment places,’ said the 20-year old from Penang. “Although Kuching is small, it is also a good place to study because one can focus more, but at the same time, convenience in terms of food, abounds,’ he added.
The Mechanical engineering student encourages his peers to study hard. “Having your education funded by JPA is a blessing as it is good for your future career,’ he said. So its best to work hard in your studies as your future is already assured, he added.
Anil Gunasekaran, a second term Robotics and Mechatronics student concurs. “I am lucky to receive sponsorship from JPA to continue my studies. This has helped reduced the financial strains on my parents,’ said the 19-year from Seremban, Negeri Sembilan.
“The campus is within walking distance to commercial centres and the campus offers good facilities such as gym and on-campus wi-fi. My parents visited me last year and they are happy for me to be in Swinburne Sarawak. Swinburne Sarawak is after all, an international university,” Anil said.
Swinburne’s Pro-Vice Chancellor & Chief Executive, Prof. Helmut Lueckenhausen in his remarks describes the JPA scholarship recipients as an elite group of high achieving scholars. “Swinburne Sarawak is pleased with the (JPA) students’ achievements and their endeavours.” he added.
Aside from the JPA scholarship, Swinburne Sarawak also offers deserving students a range of scholarships and financial aid. More information may be obtained from Swinburne Sarawak at 082-415 353, or visit the university during its Pre-U Open Day from 10am to 5pm on 19 and 20 March.