Milestones 2000 - 2019
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of Swinburne Sarawak. A partnership between the Sarawak government and Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, Australia, it has been offering tertiary education in business, computing, design, engineering and science for the past two decades. Swinburne Sarawak is committed to provide innovative education that meets and sets the standard for the 21st century. Discover our two decades of journey in higher education industry.
2000
The Establishment of Swinburne Sarawak Institute of Technology
This was the year where it all began. When Swinburne Sarawak Institute of Technology was established in August 2000, it marked the beginning of a new period for higher education in Sarawak.
2001
Official Opening of Swinburne Sarawak Institute of Technology
Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud, who was then the Chief Minister of Sarawak, officially opened the institute. It was launched as an international campus of Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia, operating in partnership with Yayasan Sarawak (Sarawak Foundation) and Sarawak Higher Education Fund.
2004
Swinburne Sarawak is Awarded University Status
The Ministry of Higher Education awarded Swinburne Sarawak Institute of Technology university status. It then became known as Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus.
First Graduation Ceremony with 70 Graduates
The first batch of 70 Swinburne Sarawak students graduate. The inaugural graduation ceremony was held at the old Legislative Assembly (DUN), Petra Jaya, Sarawak.
2005
The RM110 Million Campus Expansion Begins
Construction for the RM110 million expansion of Swinburne Sarawak begins. At the time, it occupied only three floors of the former State Complex building.
2006
Swinburne Sarawak Takes Over the Former State Complex Building
Swinburne Sarawak takes over all the nine floors of the former State Complex building. Renovations were made to accommodate more lecture rooms and staff offices. The original building, renamed Block G, remains an integral part of the campus today.
2008
Opening of the Expanded Campus with 12 Buildings
Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud, who was then the Chief Minister of Sarawak, officially declared open the RM110 million expanded campus. A total of 12 buildings were added to the seven hectare site following the expansion, and this will greatly increase the number of students, particularly in engineering and science.
2009
Student Population Reaches 3,000
Student population increased to more than 3,000. Malaysian students, particularly from Sarawak, made up the majority while international students from more than 40 countries accounted for about 18 per cent.
Opening of New Labs for the Biotechnology Program
New labs for the biotechnology program were opened. The science laboratories extend over two floors of a purpose-built facility. The laboratories cater to all the needs of both the undergraduate and postgraduate biotechnology programs.
2010
Swinburne Sarawak is Awarded Self-Accreditation Status
The Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) granted Swinburne Sarawak self-accreditation status in May following an audit. The audit was based on the Code of Practice in Institutional Audit, which comprised of requirements and guidelines with regard to quality. The MQA is a statutory body responsible for monitoring and overseeing quality assurance practices and accreditation of national higher education institutions in Malaysia.
Swinburne Sarawak is Ranked Tier 5: SETARA
Swinburne Sarawak is one of 18 higher education institutions to achieve Tier 5: Excellent status in the MQA Rating System 2009 for Malaysian Higher Education Institutions (SETARA’09). It continued to achieve Tier 5: Excellent status in 2011, 2013, and 2017. The new 2017 SETARA is regarded as more holistic and in line with the Malaysian Higher Education Blueprint, a 10-year strategic plan to create a higher education system that ranks amongst the world’s leading higher education systems and that enables Malaysia to compete in the global economy.
Swinburne Sarawak wins the first FRGS
The university won its first Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS) funded by the Malaysia Science and Information Technology Information Centre. To date it has been awarded FRGS funding worth more than RM 1.8 million in total.
2011
Full Accreditation on the University’s Undergraduate Engineering Programs
The Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) and Engineers Australia accord full accreditation on the university’s undergraduate engineering programs. These are Electronics and Computer Systems, Robotics and Mechatronics, Civil Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. Professor Anatoli Vakhguelt, who heads the School of Engineering, Computing and Science at Swinburne Sarawak, received an official letter from BEM awarding the accreditation and a certificate from Engineers Australia endorsing the programs.
Establishment of the Malaysian Software Testing Hub, Sarawak Chapter
Swinburne Sarawak signed a memorandum of understanding with the Malaysian Software Testing Board to establish the Sarawak chapter of the Malaysian Software Testing Hub (MSTH). The chapter was to take the lead in promoting and planning, as well as facilitating the execution of activities aligned to MSTH initiative in transforming Malaysia into a destination of choice for outsourced software testing services.
Two Teams of Swinburne Sarawak Win in Their Inaugural Attempt at The Freescale Cup
In their inaugural attempt at the Freescale Cup, two teams from Swinburne Sarawak swept the first and second runners-up trophies in the competition held in Kuala Lumpur. The university went on to consistently win top spots at the national level competitions to qualify for the global level, winning the top three places in China (2013), Seoul (2014), and Germany (2015).
2012
Opening of the Research Centre for Sustainable Technologies
The Campus’ Research Centre for Sustainable Technologies officially opened. The research centre is designed to boost the university’s research program, promote research collaborations and instil best research practices, with the common emphasis on sustainability. The Sarawak government and Swinburne Melbourne equally invested RM40 million to grow the research capacity.
2013
Swinburne Sarawak Team Up With MDC to Develop Mobile Apps
Swinburne Sarawak partnered with the Multimedia Development Corporation (MDC) to develop mobile apps designed to run on smartphones, tablet computers and other portable devices.
2014
Swinburne Sarawak Changes Its Corporate Colour to Red
Swinburne Sarawak officially changes its corporate colour to red with black Swinburne logo to present a “One Swinburne” identity with the home campus in Melbourne, Australia. The new corporate red replaces the yellow that had been in use since Swinburne Sarawak began operations 14 years earlier.
Swinburne Students Were the Only Team from a Private University to Final Leg of Malaysia Design Competition
Inventions by Swinburne student, which include a ticketless parking system and a robot that could complete tasks via a smartphone, were winners at the Innovate Malaysia Design Competition (Dreamcatcher). Swinburne Sarawak students were the only team from a private university to qualify for the final leg which was held in Penang.
Microsoft Published “Unfold”, A Game Created by Swinburne Sarawak’s Multimedia Design Undergraduates
Microsoft published a mobile game called “UnFold” created by five final year multimedia design undergraduates. It is available on Microsoft’s Windows Phone Store, a digital distribution platform that allows users to browse and download applications developed by third parties. The students took only 10 weeks to build the side scrolling game while Nokia Malaysia provided the latest mobile devices for the project.
2015
Swinburne Sarawak Becomes a Tuition Provider for CPA Australia Program
Swinburne Sarawak became the only tuition provider for the CPA Australia Program in East Malaysia and Borneo. The university was the first such centre in Borneo approved by the professional body.
Rated Three Stars for Research Endeavours
Swinburne Sarawak was rated three stars for research endeavours by the Malaysia Research Assessment Instrument (MyRA). Based on the United Kingdom’s Research Assessment Exercise, MyRA evaluates the performance of universities in research, development and commercialisation for their research grant applications, and determines whether they can be a research university or institute.
Opening of the Science Postgraduate Centre
The Science Postgraduate Centre opened on 14 April 2015. It is dedicated to accommodate the growing number of postgraduate students in the campus. As part of its commitment to deliver impactful research to the communities and industries, the centre provides students, research partners and academics with an avenue to work and interact effectively.
2016
Opening of the Transport Innovation Centre
The Transport Innovation Centre opened at Swinburne Sarawak as the result of a partnership between Swinburne University of Technology and the Malaysia Automotive Institute. The Centre aims to carry out original researches to identify innovative solutions to transportation, automotive and manufacturing industry, as well as mobility challenges. The Centre is located in Hawthorn campus while its affiliate office is at Swinburne Sarawak.
2017
Opening of the Centre for Digital Future on Campus
A new milestone is achieved in its innovation and research works with the opening of the Centre for Digital Future on Campus. This initiative is to gather researchers under one roof and at the same time focusing on research, especially with the country embracing Industry 4.0 where operations are more on automation.
Swinburne Australia celebrates 25th years as a university
Swinburne University of Technology celebrated its 25th years as a university across all campuses in Hawthorn at Melbourne, Croydon, Wantirna and Sarawak. The university gained university status on 1 July 1992.
Signing MOA with ACCA
Swinburne Sarawak and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Malaysia signed a memorandum of agreement, paving the way for undergraduates to complete the ACCA professional qualification through the ACCA Accelerate Program before they graduate.
2018
The first myBIM (Building Information Modelling) Satellite Centre in Sarawak
In collaboration with the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), Swinburne Sarawak launched the first myBIM (Building Information Modelling) satellite center in Sarawak. The well-equipped centre on campus is aimed to promote better implementation of BIM in the construction industry, in line with Malaysia’s target for broad adoption of BIM by 2020.
Swinburne Sarawak launched “Kuching VR”, a 360-degree virtual reality application created by Multimedia Design Graduates
Developed by its multimedia design graduates, Swinburne Sarawak launched a 360-degree virtual reality (VR) application called “Kuching VR”. The VR application takes viewers on a virtual tour of the university as well as some of the city’s landmarks and tourist attractions. The university also uses the VR application to build brand awareness in markets located outside Kuching.
Swinburne Sarawak, Petrosains team up to promote STEM learning
Swinburne Sarawak joined forces with Petrosains, The Discovery Centre, Kuala Lumpur (Petrosains) to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning in Sarawak, and to prepare the community towards the State’s digital economy initiative and Industry 4.0.
Swinburne Sarawak’s Mechanical Engineering student represent Malaysia at the IET Present Around the World
Final-year mechanical engineering student Christopher Tan Aik Wei earned a spot to represent Malaysia at the IET Present Around the World Global Finals in London after winning the Present Around the World Asia Pacific Finals in Singapore. Present Around the World is a global competition for young professionals and students aged 18 to 30 in the field of engineering to develop and showcase their presentation skills. Organised by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), competitors deliver a 10-minute presentation on any engineering or technology related area with the objectives to enhance their knowledge, develop their presentation skills, and increase their profile.
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The first Swinburne Sarawak Alumni and Partners Appreciation Dinner
Swinburne Sarawak organized its first Alumni and Partners Appreciation Dinner attended by 300 alumni and industry partners. This event is a way for the university to show its appreciation to the alumni and partners for their contribution in developing students in their respective specialized field through internships, engagement of students in actual company projects as well as offering scholarship awards and bursaries.
2019
RM50 million investment for campus upgrades
Swinburne Sarawak began campus upgrades in line with a long-term commitment to enhancing the campus experience for students with a world-class teaching and learning environment. Up to RM50 million will be invested in teaching and learning spaces, accommodation, the cafeteria, and student hub. The key focus is enhancing student experiences to prepare them for the future of work in a digital-led environment.
Swinburne Sarawak’s Business School is awarded AACSB International Accreditation
The Swinburne Business School joined the ranks of the elite after it was awarded AACSB International accreditation, a prestigious recognition by the world’s longest-serving accrediting body for business schools. The accreditation recognises the School’s excellence in teaching, research, curricula development, and student learning, placing it among the highest quality business schools globally. Synonymous with the highest standards of quality, the AACSB accreditation has been awarded to only five percent of the world’s schools offering business degrees at the bachelor level or higher.
Job Street. com’s “Top 10 Preferred Private Universities in Malaysia”
Swinburne Sarawak is ranked in JobStreet.com’s “Top 10 Preferred Private Universities in Malaysia”. The ranking is based on the university’s strong collaboration with industry partners, the demand and supply from the job market, employers’ recommendation and the Universities Graduate Employability Review.
Professional Technologist Accreditation
The Malaysia Board of Technologists awarded professional accreditation to Swinburne Sarawak’s Bachelor of Computer Science, Bachelor of Design (Multimedia Design), Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology, and Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology). Graduates of these courses could apply to become Graduate Technologist. With at least three years’ work experience in a related technology field, they may apply to be Professional Technologist, which carries the title Ts. Or P.Tech.
The establishment of Swinburne Innovation Malaysia Sdn Bhd (SWIM)
The Swinburne Innovation Malaysia Sdn Bhd (SWIM) was set up as an R&D Status Company. In line with the university’s vision for excellence in transformative research, the wholly owned subsidiary of Swinburne Sarawak works closely with industry to maximize the impact from R&D. SWIM also provides industry with research driven professional training courses.
Opening of Business & Social Innovation Centre and Education Research Centre
Business & Social Innovation Centre and Education Research Centre launched on 7 August 2019. This centre is an integral part of Faculty of Business, Design and Arts to build capacity in research aligned with the university’s vision of being a world class university creating social and economic impact through science, technology and innovation. The research clusters are on destination marketing, business innovation, women empowerment, human resource innovations, and sustainability and corporate social responsibility.