Swinburne University of TechnologySarawak Campus is the foreign branch campus of Swinburne University and is located in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. Established in 2000, Swinburne Sarawak operates as a partnership between the Sarawak State Government and Swinburne Australia. The initiative behind the Sarawak campus is part of a long term strategy by Swinburne Australia to "globalize its operations and provide its students with international living, working and learning opportunities". The Swinburne Sarawak campus operates as a full-fledged branch campus, joining three other Swinburne campuses in Melbourne, Australia, and is under the academic control of Swinburne's Higher Education Division in Australia. Courses offered are identical to those available in Melbourne and graduates are awarded Australian testamurs.
History
As a result of close ties between Sarawak and Australia, the Swinburne University of Technology of Melbourne, Australia was identified by the State Government as a viable partner in assisting the state's educational needs. Following the long-term strategy by Swinburne Australia, and the approval of the then Minister of Education of Malaysia, Najib Tun Razak in 1999, the Swinburne Sarawak Institute of Technology was set up within a State Office Complex building at Jalan Simpang Tiga, Kuching, Sarawak. Operating as a partnership between the Sarawak Foundation and the Sarawak Higher Education Foundation, the campus welcomed the first batch of 130 students in August 2000. Swinburne Sarawak Institute of Technology was officially granted status as a university branch campus on 10 June 2004, effectively becoming Swinburne's sixth and latest campus, joining five other campuses in Melbourne, Australia. The university was since then known as Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak Campus and was, at the time, the fifth branch campus university in the country. Student population was at 700. Work on a campus expansion started in late 2005. The project was wholly funded by the Sarawak Government. Construction on the extended campus was completed in August 2008. Swinburne University of Technology in Australia and the State Government of Sarawak, is the highest ranking international university in Borneo based on the inaugural Asia-Pacific University Ranking 2017 by Times Higher Education released on 4 July 2017.
Location
Swinburne Sarawak is located on a campus in Jalan Simpang Tiga, Kuching.
Administration
The university operates as a Branch Campus of Swinburne University of Technology, of Melbourne, Australia. It is 75% owned by the Sarawak Government and 25% owned by Swinburne, Australia. Swinburne Sarawak's day-to-day affairs is administered by Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive is Professor John Wilson. Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Haji Adenan Bin Haji Satem was installed as its second Pro Chancellor on 9 October 2014., and the position became vacant on his death on 11 January 2017.
Courses
Foundation Studies
Swinburne Sarawak offers Foundation Studies for students who have completed SPM or any other equivalent qualifications. Swinburne’s Foundation Studies is a pre-university course designed to help students meet the entry requirements for bachelor's degree studies.
Undergraduate Studies
Swinburne Sarawak’s undergraduate degree are available to students who have completed the Swinburne Foundation Studies, STPM or other equivalent qualifications. These degrees are designed with your career in mind where students will benefit from opportunities to connect with industry and engage in interdisciplinary projects.
Postgraduate Programs
Some postgraduate programs are also available. Swinburne Sarawak also accept application from for those wanting to develop advanced skills and knowledge for its Masters by Research programs.
