KUCHING – Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus (Swinburne Sarawak) held its third Beyond Foundation session on 13 May 2026, bringing together 76 Foundation students, academics, and faculty representatives for a half-day programme centred on academic and degree pathways and life beyond Foundation Studies at Swinburne Sarawak.
The biannual event, now in its third session since launching in 2025, was designed around the idea that Foundation students make better decisions about their degrees when they hear directly from those who are already in them.
Foundation Studies at Swinburne Sarawak: More Than Entry Requirements
Opening the session, Ts. Hephi Liauw, Head of the School of Foundation Studies, was clear about what Foundation Studies is, and what it is not, for.
“It is not about making entry requirements to a degree programme,” she said. “It is about equipping students with the academic skills, confidence, and mindset needed to succeed in undergraduate study and beyond.”
Swinburne Sarawak Heads of School Challenge Assumptions on Degree Choices
Beyond Foundation proceeded with a moderated Coffee Talk bringing four faculty leaders into open conversation with students.
In attendance were Associate Professor Dr Fung Chorng Yuan (Head of School, School of Business), Associate Professor Dr Predrag Nikolic (Head of School, School of Design and Arts), Dr Victor Bong (Head of Department, Mechanical Engineering), and Ts. Associate Professor Dr Miko Chang May Lee (Head of School, Information and Communication Technologies).
The Heads of School challenged students’ assumptions on programme choice, career relevance, and what a Swinburne degree prepares graduates to do.
Each Head of School used the session to challenge assumptions about their respective disciplines.
Dr Miko pointed to Swinburne’s two newest programmes – the Bachelor of Cyber Security and Bachelor of Data Science – noting that increasingly frequent cyber attacks illustrate precisely why the field matters.
Dr Fung addressed growing concern about artificial intelligence and the accounting profession directly: “Accountants will be needed as long as there is an income. Artificial Intelligence or commonly known as AI, is just a tool that supports.”
Dr Bong drew on his graduates’ career trajectories, from hydrogen technology at Shell and Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS), to entrepreneurship, pharmaceutical sales, and one engineering graduate who opened a Ceylonese restaurant, to illustrate how a Swinburne engineering degree produces adaptable, curious problem-solvers.
Dr Predrag challenged prevailing perceptions of design. “Today, being a digital designer or being somebody in digital media is quite different than three years ago,” he said.
“Students in multimedia design are now the professionals of the future.”
The session was followed by an in-depth Q&A moderated by Amy Siow Yin Nyau, giving students direct access to faculty leadership on programme choice, career relevance, and what each degree prepares graduates to do.
Student Ambassadors Share Honest Advice on Foundation Years and Degree Life at Swinburne Sarawak
The highlight of Beyond Foundation was the Coffee Talk with Student Ambassadors, moderated by Nur Hidayah binti Safaruddin, Academic Coordinator of the School of Foundation Studies.
Five students and recent graduates spoke candidly about their Foundation years, degree experiences, and the advice they wish they had received earlier.
The panelists were Sarah Havergal Bong (final year, Bachelor of Media and Communication), Martina Alicia Dindu anak Mujah (graduate, Bachelor of Design in Multimedia Design), Nian Ong Pau (graduate, Bachelor of Business in Accounting and Finance), and Douglas Hieng Hui Tie (graduate, Bachelor of Engineering in Mechatronics, Robotics and Automation).
Also joining them was John Zu An Chung, an adjunct Teaching Fellow and PhD candidate from the Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science.
They were unanimous in describing their Foundation years as challenging and transformative, a period that built confidence and meaningful connections, and were candid about the mistakes they made and the lessons that followed.
What the Panelists Told Swinburne Sarawak Foundation Students
On the question of passion versus financial reward, Douglas was direct. “Passion in the course you choose is important, because a degree programme is a long journey. Just choose what you want, then study hard. When you are there, you will see where you should go.”
Sarah spoke about learning to receive criticism during her internship at the Rainforest Youth Summit. “Don’t be afraid to take the correction because it helps you to hone your craft and refine the work,” she said.
Current students and recent graduates speak candidly about Foundation life, degree experiences, and the advice they wish they had earlier.
Nian encouraged students to say yes despite hesitation: “Always say yes to opportunities, especially when you feel scared. Your mind opens and broadens.”
John urged students to take up internships with international industry exposure: “So that after you graduate, you will know what you want to do.”
Martina kept her advice practical: “Join clubs early in your Foundation. This experience will be useful in the future when you start working.”
Swinburne Sarawak Recognises Top-Performing Foundation Students
Beyond Foundation closed with the presentation of commendation letters to 50 top scorers in Foundation units. Presented by Hephi alongside Heads of Department Chai Ching Yi and Norizan Tan, the commendation recognised outstanding academic performance for the semester.
Explore Foundation Studies at Swinburne Sarawak
Swinburne Sarawak’s Foundation Studies programme empowers students to make confident, informed decisions about their future. Beyond an industry-relevant curriculum, the programme provides clear pathways to globally recognised degrees, early exposure to university life, and a strong emphasis on critical thinking, digital literacy, and personal development.
Prospective students interested in Foundation Studies at Swinburne Sarawak are welcome to find out more at Application Week, 8–10 June 2026, at the Kuching campus.\
For more information on Swinburne Sarawak, visit its website, Facebook page (@swinburnesarawak), Instagram page (@swinburnesarawak), X page (@Swinburne_Swk), TikTok page (@swinburnesarawak), or YouTube channel (Swinburne Sarawak).