KUCHING – Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus’ Science, Technology, Research, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STREAM) Team recently welcomed a group of 70 SPM students and 10 teachers from SMK Singai to its campus for an educational field trip.
The trip, which included SMK Singai Principal Mr Peliman anak Gendang, was part of a continuous engagement between both parties that Mr Peliman has been spearheading since previous STREAM activities at the school.
The educational field trip was among the activities featured in SMK Singai’s Healing Camp Program, aimed at motivating their students to excel in their academic journey and inspiring them to pursue their tertiary education at Swinburne Sarawak upon completing their SPM national examinations.
The visit was led by Dr Ling Chui Ching, Lecturer in Accounting at Swinburne Sarawak, and co-led by academics Su Sueh Ing (Head of Department – Accounting, School of Business), Shella Georgina Beatrice (Head of Department – Business, Design and Communication, School of Foundation Studies), Ts Dr Irine Runnie Henry Ginjom (Senior Lecturer in Science) and Dr Yii Kwang Jing (Head of Department – Marketing and Finance, School of Business). To date, this STREAM Team has been conducting community outreach educational projects to over 20 Indigenous-majority rural schools over the past six years.
During the visit, the students from SMK Singai were introduced to Swinburne Sarawak’s newly upgraded campus and the wide range of courses offered by the university, presented by the Marketing and Student Recruitment team.
The educational field trip included tours of the IT Lab and Science Lab, where Dr Mark Tee Kit Tsun and Ts Dr Irine respectively led demonstrations. During these lab tours, the students were exposed to the Internet of Things and had the chance to use microscopes.
The students immerse themselves in an engaging presentation at the IT Lab.
Students using a microscope at the Science Lab.
The event also featured two engaging workshops providing hands-on activities for the students. The first was a Business Statistics workshop facilitated by Dr Tan Vie Ming, where the students learned to use the computer lab facilities to produce a pie chart. The second workshop, which focused on English language skills, was facilitated by Cassandra Eva Lau, allowing the students to practise writing a complete short story in English. The students were excited to apply their practical knowledge in both sessions.
During the campus tour guided by Jenice Yeo, Student Services Manager under Student Engagement, the students had the opportunity to explore Swinburne Sarawak’s upgraded campus first-hand. They were particularly excited to visit the new Student Hub, which houses various student-centric features such as a sports centre, dance studio, music studio and e-sports facilities.
The trip ended with the signing of a Memorandum of Partnership between Swinburne Sarawak’s STREAM Team and SMK Singai.
The signing of a Memorandum of Partnership between Swinburne Sarawak’s STREAM Team and SMK Singai on 18 October 2024.
Along with an exchange of tokens of appreciation, SMK Singai acknowledged the STREAM Team members and event facilitators with a Certificate of Appreciation for their efforts and contributions. Mr Peliman expressed his gratitude in his closing speech, remarking that he looked forward to more collaborations with the STREAM Team in the future.
The STREAM Team said that it was heartening to receive positive comments from the students and to know that they were motivated to pursue their studies at Swinburne Sarawak after the completion of their SPM examinations. Overall, the event was successful in cultivating students’ interest in furthering their studies in STREAM fields.
The team also thanked the Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Sarawak for their unwavering support via education grants to carry out STREAM activities over the years, as well as the Education District Offices of Serian and Bau, Swinburne Sarawak’s management, SMK Singai’s management including Mr Peliman and all the teachers for their trust in the team in inspiring the next generations in STREAM.
The STREAM Team looks forward to future collaborations in other districts in Sarawak.
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).