KUCHING – Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, in collaboration with the Dayak Bidayuh Literary Society (DBLS) and the Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Sarawak (MEITD), recently organised the Public Speaking Workshop and Competition 2024, boosting students’ confidence in public speaking.
The Public Speaking Workshop and Competition 2024 aimed to inculcate confidence in public speaking among youths and to improve literacy and English language skills among the younger generation. Activities were organised over the past six months, covering topics on public speaking techniques through online and in-person deliveries. These included the do’s and don’ts of public speaking, overcoming stage fright and the importance of being an effective public speaker.
Themed “Cultural Roots: Nurturing Identity, Fostering Unity”, the event culminated on 17 July 2024. About 60 students from SMK Siburan and SMK Tun Abdul Razak, ranging from Form 3 to Form 5, took part in the Public Speaking Workshop and Competition 2024.
The students expressed their excitement and actively participated in the activities, eager to explore how to overcome their fear of public speaking. They listened intently to experienced speakers to learn about building their confidence in public speaking.
The event was led by Shella Georgina Beatrice, Head of Department (Business, Design and Communication Program) at Swinburne Sarawak, assisted by other Lecturers from the university, Ts Dr Irine Runnie Henry Ginjom, Nur Hidayah Safarudin and Bryan Aaron Khoo Hock Seng, as well as student helpers.
A group photo taken during the Public Speaking Workshop and Competition 2024.
Dr John Francis Noyan, a Senior Lecturer from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Sarawak and the Treasurer of DBLS; Dr Carolina Sandra Giang, President of Women Empowerment Sustainability and Network Association (WESNA); and Cassandra Eva Lau Lin Yin, a Language Lecturer from Swinburne Sarawak’s School of Foundation Studies, were among the judges for the competition.
Hephi Liauw, Head of School of Foundation Studies at Swinburne Sarawak, concluded the Public Speaking Workshop and Competition 2024 and presented tokens and certificates to the winners.
Emerging as champion was Benedict Paul Then from SMK Siburan, followed by Michelle Vallencia of SMK Siburan in second place and Edward Bong of SMK Tun Abdul Razak in third place.
Shella also extended special appreciation and thanks to the university, DBLS, MEITD, Sarawak State Education Department, Serian District Education Office, school principals, teachers and parents for their support for the event.
The students were also given the opportunity to explore Swinburne Sarawak. The campus tour inspired and motivated them by showcasing new learning experiences and environments, with the hope that they will consider pursuing their further studies at the university. With its vision of bringing people and technology together to build a better world, Swinburne Sarawak emphasises continuous community engagement, especially in reaching out to rural schools.
For more information on Swinburne Sarawak, visit its website, Facebook page (@swinburnesarawak), Instagram page (@swinburnesarawak), Twitter page (@Swinburne_Swk), TikTok page (@swinburnesarawak) or YouTube channel (Swinburne Sarawak).