10 March 2016

Alumni, industry experts to speak at Swinburne Sarawak Open Day

KUCHING – Speakers from the industry and alumni of Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus will speak on a variety of topics to guide SPM, STPM and UEC graduates in their career aspirations at the university’s Open Day on Saturday, 12 March.

The talk session themed “Get inspired” kicks off at 10:30am with Borneo Convention Centre Kuching Chief Executive Officer Eric M. Van Piggelen speaking about “Why go to university – A parent’s perspective”.

Van Piggelen, who has worked in three continents mainly in the hospitality arena, began his career with five star hotels and resorts in South Africa.

“Making money and doing what I love” is the topic of Pfizer Malaysia sales executive Juliana Ho, at 11am. The Swinburne Sarawak alumni had graduated with a master degree in science.

At 11:30am, Dr Hudyjaya Siswojo Jo and Riady Siswojo Jo will share the next session, “Swinburne knowledge is the workplace”.

The Indonesian brothers started their education at Swinburne Sarawak in foundation before pursuing a degree in engineering. Hudyjaya received his PhD from the university in 2013 while Riady is currently pursuing his PhD.

Both were instrumental in the university winning the Malaysian leg of the Freescale Cup intelligent car competition four times in a row as well as top places at the international level.

Speaking about her love for creating accessory pieces is Left & Right Artisan Handcraft founder Eileen Phoan. “From passion to career” will take place at 12 noon.

Phoan and co-founder Fabian Tan first began their business as a way to raise
funds for their martial arts club while studying at Swinburne Sarawak. Today, Left
& Right has a clientele from Australia, Germany, the Netherlands, UK and US.

The two mechanical engineering graduates represented Malaysia at the Entrepreneurs’ Organization Global Student Entrepreneur Awards, the premier competition for high school, undergraduate and graduate students who own and operate businesses, in Washington DC in 2015.

This is followed by “Food business is the way of the future” at 12:30pm. It will be delivered by Raw Kitchen Malaysia founder, Ilnara Mukatayeva. From Kazakhstan, Ilnara graduated from Swinburne Sarawak with a human resource and marketing degree in 2013.

Raw Kitchen Malaysia is the first raw cold pressed health juicery and kitchen in Sarawak.

“Working and having fun: saving Malaysia’s wildlife and habitats”, is a subject
close to the heart of Wildlife Conservation Society director Dr Melvin Gumal. His session starts at 1pm.

Media Enquiries

David Teng
Assistant Manager, Industry and Alumni Engagement


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