KUCHING – Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus continues to guide students toward confident academic choices through its School of Foundation Studies. On 7 November, the School of Foundation hosted the Beyond Foundation event. The biannual event aim at giving students a clear view of degree pathways and the support available as they transition from Foundation to undergraduate studies.
The event opened with a warm welcome from Ms. Chai Ching Yi, Head of Department of Engineering, Science, IT, and Multimedia. She spoke on behalf of Ms. Hephi Liauw, Head of the School of Foundation Studies.
Ms. Liauw encouraged students to explore the degree pathways offered and their future paths. “Ask questions. Be curious and start imagining your future as part of a university that is truly technology in innovation and entrepreneurship. You are already on your way. We are excited to support you every step of the journey,” she said.
Student Ambassadors Share Degree Pathways Insights
In addition to the talk, another highlight of the day was the interactive session with Swinburne Sarawak’s Heads of School. Students met Associate Professor Dr. Fung Chorng Yuan (Business, Design and Arts), Ms. Rosadelina binti Mustapa (Design), Associate Professor Dr. Chew Jiuan Jing (Engineering and Science), and Associate Professor Dr. Miko Chang May Lee (Information and Communication Technologies).
Ms. Norizan Tan (far left) in conversation with Heads of School (from left) Miko Chang May Lee, Chew Jiuan Jing, Fung Chorng Yuan, and Rosedelina Mustafa
The Heads of School introduced courses in their faculties and answered students’ questions in a lively Q&A session, giving students practical insights to help them decide their future degree pathways.
Another event highlight was a candid talk show led by Foundation student Leona Aneliswa Mpofu. Leona was joined by five student ambassadors – Mandy Chua Jia Yi, who’s a chemical engineering major, Henry Yew Leong Ch’ng, a software engineering graduate, Andrew Chiam Pei Wun, an accounting major, Jaydn Chiong Zhe Ting who’s studying media and communication, and Nigel Gautham Murali, who is pursuing a multimedia design degree.
Offering Real-World Insights
Student ambassadors share insights and tips from their degree journeys
Sharing their personal journeys, they offered tips for managing workload, staying motivated, and making the most of university life. Mandy emphasized the value of teamwork, sharing that collaborating with others has made her realize the importance of seeing things from different perspectives. “This helped me see far beyond what I could achieve alone,” she added.
Henry Ch’nG opined that for handling coursework, it is important to take one step at a time. “The study workload is to prepare us to think like engineers and tackle problems from multiple angles,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, Andrea highlighted the need to balance studies with personal growth. “Joining clubs and volunteering helped me socialize and see different perspectives, making my degree journey more enriching,” she shared.
For Jaydn, personal goal setting ensures constant motivation while Nigel stressed consistency over perfection. They also reassured the participating students that uncertainty is natural, and progress matters more than perfection.
Recognising Academic Excellence
The event concluded with Professor Sim Kwan Yong, Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor, presenting commendation letters to 17 top Foundation Studies scorers, celebrating academic excellence and student achievement.
With a turnout of 139 students and an audience including faculty leaders, Beyond Foundation 2025 reaffirmed Swinburne Sarawak’s commitment to student empowerment, purposeful pathways, and future-focused learning.
Looking Ahead: The FTES2026 Opportunity
Swinburne is among the universities listed under the Sarawak Free Tertiary Education Scheme 2026, so this is a good time for prospective students and parents to look at foundation studies that prepare you for degree programs. Visit the Swinburne Sarawak FTES2026 webpage for more information.
For more information on Swinburne Sarawak, visit its website (www.swinburne.edu.my), Facebook page (@swinburnesarawak), Instagram page (@swinburnesarawak), LinkedIn page (Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus), X page (@Swinburne_Swk), TikTok page (@swinburnesarawak), YouTube channel (Swinburne Sarawak), or Xiaohongshu page (@SwinburneSwk).