KUCHING –The Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, Professor Helmut Lueckenhausen, was yesterday conferred an honorary Johan Bintang Kenyalang (JBK (H)) by the Head of State of Sarawak.
Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Muhammad Salahuddin bestowed the award on Lueckenhausen during an investiture ceremony at the Astana, the former’s official residence, in Petra Jaya.
Lueckenhausen, who has many years of experience in developing transnational education programs, has helmed Swinburne Sarawak since 2007.
Under his direction, the university has been recognised as one of the major players in private higher education. In 2009, the university was one of only 18 higher education institutions in the country to be rated Excellent in the Malaysian Qualifications Agency’s (MQA) Rating System for Higher Education (SETARA).
Last year the MQA, a statutory body responsible for monitoring and overseeing quality assurance practices and accreditation of national higher education, awarded Swinburne Sarawak self-accreditation status following an extensive audit.
“I am truly honoured to have been conferred the honorary JBK. The award is an indication that we are on the right track to meeting the goals of the Sarawak government in the provision of an international model of higher education in Sarawak. The support of dedicated staff members making high-level contributions day after day has been central to the university being where it is today. I am fortunate and thankful to work with a team of this quality,” he said.
Lueckenhausen reiterated that Swinburne Sarawak, the only international branch campus of Swinburne Australia, will strive to continue providing a world-class university education for the people of Malaysia and the region.
Before his appointment at Swinburne Sarawak, Lueckenhausen was the Dean of the Faculty of Design for almost 10 years, making it a significant international force in the field of design. At the same time he was the Chair of the Academic Board and a member of the Governing Council of Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne. He is a member of the Executive Group of Swinburne.
As a major exponent of the field of studio furniture, Lueckenhausen maintains a regular national and international exhibition and lecture program including forum, conference and workshop presentations.
His work has been exhibited in the United States, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Germany, Uruguay, Brazil, Chile, Iran, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Spain and he is represented in the permanent collections of the Australian National Gallery as well as public galleries and museums in six states and territories, and in Germany.
Swinburne Sarawak was established in 2000. Since then the university has grown from a student population of only 130 to 3,900 in 2011. Of this number about 20% are international students from more than 50 countries.