Swinburne Sarawak began its journey in 2000 with just about 130 students. Over the past 25 years, it has grown into a full-fledged university with a strong international reputation. The road here was filled with challenges and triumphs, many of which remain untold. In this 25th anniversary year, the voices of staff, students, and alumni bring those stories to life, offering a glimpse into the experiences and milestones that have shaped Swinburne Sarawak’s 25-year journey.
These stories capture the spirit of Swinburne Sarawak - moments of growth, collaboration, and achievement that define who we are. Together, our staff, students, and alumni carry a legacy that inspires and shapes the future.
Raphael D'Cruz / Student
In my first semester, my group presented on tourism in China, and I was assigned the introduction. As an introvert, speaking in front of the class felt overwhelming, but I pushed through the fear and delivered. We earned a fair grade, but my real achievement was personal: proving to myself that I could step out of my comfort zone. That moment became my small “trophy”.
Ayden Kinsley Franklin / Student
Swinburne Sarawak is more than a campus. It's family. Friends turned ordinary moments into something special, making even tough days bearable and fun. Our laughter fills our days, and endless teasing keeps spirits high. Most importantly, we were always there for one another. Despite different beliefs, races, and religions, we reflect Malaysia's unity and Sarawak's diversity. Whatever lies ahead, we'll face it together as a family.
Xin Ying Say / Student
When I came to Swinburne Sarawak, I discovered hidden treasures that can't be listed in any brochure - friendships formed in unexpected places, laughter filling late-night study sessions, and small moments becoming lasting memories. For me, the true value of Swinburne isn't just in what's written, but in what's lived - the people, experiences, and moments that stay long after classes end.
Alec Vince Abuan / Student
Every opportunity at Swinburne Sarawak has pushed me to learn, lead, and excel. From advising the Chess and Boardgames Club to coaching the MASISWA Chess team to victory, I've discovered the joy of teamwork and strategy. Contributing to community projects, internships, and earning bronze for Best Presenter at the IUC-SSPRC conference taught me that growth comes from embracing challenges. Swinburne nurtures potential and transforms effort into achievement—it's been a space to discover what I'm capable of.
Shuefie Cheng / Student
I've always dreamed big, even when challenges like mastering English or navigating new academic expectations appeared. Joining Swinburne Sarawak was a turning point. The lectures, workshops, and opportunities became fertile ground for learning and self-discovery. Each experience strengthened my confidence and shaped my abilities. Swinburne is where potential meets opportunity - where ideas take root, skills flourish, and dreams continue to grow.
Henry Estanada / Student
My Swinburne journey began with the BP40 bursary, opening doors for me to pursue my studies. What I didn't expect were the lifelong friendships. Meeting people from different states and nationalities has been the most meaningful part of my experience. From late-night study sessions to spontaneous hangouts, these friendships turned challenges into light moments and successes into celebrations. The bursary gave me more than financial support. It provided growth in an environment filled with diversity and encouragement.
Win Jagong / Student
Through the English Enhancement Program, I’ve had the chance to meet so many wonderful friends who have made my Swinburne journey brighter. The laughter, support, and memories we’ve shared are treasures I’ll always keep close to my heart. Truly, I’m glad to be a Swinbee!
Julie Laing / Staff
When I joined Swinburne 20 years ago, I expected a straightforward career. Instead, it became an unfolding drama with constant change - bosses with fresh visions, shifting structures, and workplace rebels who kept things unpredictable. What balanced the drama were victories: students crowned MASISWA champions 12 years running, athletes representing Sarawak at SUKMA Games. Two decades later, my career feels like Grey's Anatomy where the cast changes, drama never ends, but the story keeps you hooked.
Joseph Ling / Alumni
My proudest moment at Swinburne Sarawak was hosting the 2023 Inter-School Debating Championship, Swinburne's first large-scale physical event post-COVID. With limited manpower, I juggled three roles with barely three months to prepare. When our team faced major technical glitches, we didn't panic - we worked through it together. That embodied the true Swinburne spirit: teamwork and adaptability. From being a runner in 2021 to co-organizing our biggest student event, I learned more about leadership than expected.
Geemal Yasas Wedagedara / Student
2019 stands out as my best year at Swinburne Sarawak. As Student Council member, I helped organize bazaars, Cultural Night, and stage performances. The late nights were worth it, seeing students enjoy themselves. Through the Swinburne Life Volunteering Program, I led the organization of O-Week with committee members, staff, and volunteers. Welcoming new students and being a friendly face around campus is deeply rewarding. If asked to do it all again, I wouldn't hesitate. It was fun, meaningful, and unforgettable.
Claire Edmund / Staff
I walked into Swinburne in August 2000, never imagining I'd still be here a quarter century later. Working with Professor Ken Heskin, I found my place in a brand-new university carving out its identity. In 2003, I reported to two leaders - Professor David Booth and the late En. Mohd. Abdul Rahman. Balancing two bosses was demanding but rewarding. In 2015, Professor Janet Gregory taught me "live minuting," sharpening my listening skills, a gift I carry proudly. Through authoritative Professor Lueckenhausen, jovial Professor Cahalan, and Professor Wilson's Covid Era when homes became offices and Christmas contests brought cheer, each leader shaped my journey. Now under Ir. Professor Lau, I remain part of the Swinburne Sarawak story.
Shella Georgina Beatrice / Staff
This year is special - my 15 years of service coincides with Swinburne Sarawak's 25th Anniversary. From teaching Financial Planning to guiding 330 Foundation Studies students today, the journey has been remarkable. My proudest moment was facilitating a student team's national victory in the Permodalan Nasional Berhad Competition. Leading the STEM team for six years, we've brought learning to rural communities, evolving into STEAM and STREAM. Two Vice-Chancellor awards recognized our efforts. Swinburne is more than a workplace. It is a true HERO inspiring us forward.
Nur Alya Batrisyia Binti Suhaimi / student
Back in high school, I was really quiet and shy. I didn’t have many friends, and I never quite knew how to start a conversation with new people. Most of the time, I kept to myself. Things changed when I came to Swinburne. Little by little, I grew more confident. I started meeting people, making friends, and learning how to open up. Now I feel like a completely new version of myself—someone who can walk up to others without being shy and enjoy making connections. Swinburne gave me more than an education—it helped me find a new me.
Elizabeth Ashleigh George / Alumni
One of my proudest projects was creating a website for a unit. Sure, it was on Wix and not from scratch, but I loved the process - dragging, dropping, and shaping its aesthetic until it felt like home. It didn’t even feel like an assignment. Another highlight was building an HR dashboard completely from scratch. I had so much fun that I went beyond the requirements - adding pie charts, macro buttons to track months and days, and making the whole thing interactive. For me, these projects weren’t just coursework, they were chances to play, create, and push myself further.
Christina Kiing Xin Yi
My journey at Swinburne has been one of the most impactful chapters of my life. I found not only supportive lecturers and amazing friends, but also a place to discover myself through the Swinburne Dance Club. Leading my Jpop team, CRUSH, and performing with HEARTV at the Music and Dance Concert were unforgettable milestones that taught me confidence, leadership, and the joy of belonging. Beyond performing, my role as a committee designer gave me creative experience that felt like real-world practice. Swinburne also gave me the chance to join the Melbourne exchange program, where I met friends from around the world and broadened my horizons. Looking back, this community gave me family, passion, and the courage to achieve my high school dream of dancing on stage - a dream that came true here.
Muhammad Fawwaz Fakhri
I don’t have much to add, but I just want to say that me and the boys are on a quest for the fallen crown that lies ahead - and I believe everyone can do it too!
Evangelynn George / Student
When I first stepped into Swinburne, everything felt unfamiliar. The shift wasn't hard - it was just new. Academic writing, especially, threw me off. My turning point came after Foundation, when I began the Media and Communication program. Suddenly, I wasn't just studying; I was exploring content creation, social media management, marketing, and journalism. Some might think the field is 'easy', but Swinburne showed me the deeper strategies behind every piece of content. This program has changed how I think, create, and understand the world - and I wouldn't trade that journey for anything.
Chai Chien Liang / Staff
This photo was taken right after our final year project presentations in 2008. Please excuse the fashion - it was the era of low-rise jeans, big belts, and the glory days of the Nokia E71. That same year, the iPhone 3G hit the market and the world saw the launch of the first Android phone, the HTC Dream. Looking back, it wasn’t about the tech in our pockets but the friendships and the relief on our faces after months of hard work. That moment captured more than a group photo. It froze a piece of our Swinburne journey, reminding us how far both we and technology have come since then.
Adeline Sophia Ho
When I first joined, the library was a small space with just 2,000 printed books and no digital collection. Yet, even then, our passion to serve was strong. A key milestone came in 2008 when we moved to a new space, and the epic marathon of packing and reshelving every single book. That shared effort remains one of our proudest memories. Today, our collection exceeds 900,000 titles, 97% of which are digital. We've evolved from a quiet reading room into a tech-enabled hybrid library. And is now a vibrant hub for research, innovation, digital literacy and collaboration. Looking back, we've grown tremendously. Looking ahead, we'll keep evolving to serve our community even better. Happy 25th Anniversary, Swinburne!
A library reimagined — open, connected, and built for the way we learn today
Jowen Sim / Staff
When a Personal Assistant vacancy opened at Swinburne Sarawak, I didn't hesitate. Walking into that interview room with more than five interviewers still makes me laugh. But nothing beats the joy when HR called with the offer - a feeling that's stayed with me through 22 years. Back then, it was just my boss and I in a small Block G office, working late nights on accreditation documents. I've watched Swinburne transform: university status in 2004, the shift to red in 2014, the upgraded campus in 2024. Someone once said, "We are here to create memories." Swinburne has given me more than I imagined. Here's to another 25 years.
Nicole Faith Ngui / Student
In three years at Swinburne, I've hit more milestones than ever: started driving, made the dean's list, earned top scorer. But the real growth happened in unexpected moments. I met people vastly different from me and others remarkably alike. I discovered passions, trained patience, and deepened my faith. Challenges I thought impossible? I emerged victorious every time. I'm blessed to know Swinbees who are seriously dedicated yet the chillest, most caring team players. When we stress, we stress together—then slap each other out of it. Surround yourself with good people. Without good team players, what use is being intelligent?
Que sera, sera - whatever will be, will be.
Joel Ooi Cho Yaw / Student
The plan was to leave Swinburne after the last semester and continue the degree in KL. There was an event in Penang, and I had hopes that my crush would be there. But my flight didn’t match the event date, so that was off the table. A full marathon happened on the same day - this became my replacement plan. Theidea was simple: my crush enjoys such event. Turned out Crush didn’t attend the event anyway. After that, Swinburne offered several strong reasons for me to stay. Those signs shifted the direction. The KL plan faded and I continue at Swinburne instead. What started as “go big, go home, and close this chapter” turned into “the Swinburne chapter continues.”
Jasmine Tan / Student
What started as a shared love for storytelling grew into a community where I truly belonged. The newly-born Journalism Club - Swinbees Buzz Bulletin - became one of the most transformative moments of my university journey. We brainstormed headlines, executed activities, and welcomed new faces. Through thick and thin, our enthusiasm never faded. We celebrated wins and support each other through challenges. I'm deeply thankful to the committees for creating this inclusive space. There's no better way to mark another chapter at Swinburne. And a bih shoutout to Victoria (you know who you are) for constantly pulling me into new club adventures!
If the Journalism Club had a headline, it'd be about us.
Stephanie Phyra / Student
My Swinburne journey started with the English Enhancement Program. I was alone and scared, but made friends faster than expected. Then came Bachelor of Design in Graphic Design - exploring everything from packaging to short films and real client work. The Junction became our second home. Late nights, and deadlines crushing us. Those moments I'll treasure most. I joined clubs, lived at The Student Village, and now serve as a Resident Advisor. Big shoutout to my two besties who were there with me through every ups and downs. I've never regretted choosing Swinburne Sarawak. Proud to be a Swinbee!
Jeffery Ting Lee Siong / Alumni
Graduating with a Bachelor of Civil Engineering during a pandemic was not the plan. Industries reshaped overnight, uncertainty loomed. But Swinburne's strong academic foundation and practical learning gave me the skills and confidence to explore new opportunities at a very challenging time. Now, as an education consultant, I guide secondary students through their higher education journey, sharing my university experience with them. Thank you, Swinburne, for shaping my growth and success. Congratulations on 25 years!
2020 challenged us all. Swinburne prepared me for it.
Aekkraj Ganesan / Alumni
I wouldn't have 80% of my skills today without my journey through Clubs & Societies. From participating in one event to another during my Foundation year, to becoming The Clubs & Societies Lead before graduating - most of my fondest Swinburne memories started with the many clubs and societies I took part in. Halloween 2019 with SUTS Book Club? Our biggest event yet. 8AM-5PM grinding for that degree, then the 5PM-10PM grinding event prep. We'd race to G708, work late, grab nasi kandar for supper, repeat. There's a saying: "I wish there was a way to know you're in the good old days before you've actually left them." What I'd give to experience that again.
Victoria Teng
Carrying out an internship away from your hometown means stepping into unfamiliar territory. But it also opens the door to new friendships that make the experience richer. The people you meet along the way become your anchors, helping you settle in and find your place. They're the ones who show you hidden local spots, share late-night work toil with, and remind you that you're not alone in figuring out this thing called "growing up". Through shared challenges and triumphs, these friends inadvertently shape your growth, making a new environment feel a little more like home.
The friends you make along the way
Anyone who is part of the Swinburne students, staff and alumni are welcome to share their personal stories related to their experiences and memories at Swinburne Sarawak.
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