Swinburne Sarawak celebrates 25 years of shaping futures
- BT
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KUCHING, 29 October 2025: Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus commemorated a quarter-century of education excellence last night at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) with its 25th Anniversary Gala Dinner, which celebrates its remarkable journey from a small, pioneering campus to a globally connected, next-generation university that drives talent, innovation and transformation.
The milestone event has officiated by the Premier of Sarawak and Pro-Chancellor of Swinburne Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, and was attended by over 1,000 people, including Swinburne’s leadership from its Australian and Sarawak campuses, government dignitaries, industry partners, alumni, students and other distinguished guests.
“Celebrating 25 years of growth and achievement, this milestone reflects a strong partnership built on vision, trust and a shared pursuit of excellence in education and research, delivered right here in the heart of Borneo. We are incredibly proud of Swinburne Sarawak’s enduring impact – shaping future generations and driving positive change both within and beyond Sarawak’s borders,” said Swinburne University of Technology Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Pascale Quester.
“The world is changing faster than ever – and with it, the way we learn, work and live. Swinburne Sarawak is committed to staying ahead of the curve by embracing innovation, expanding research capabilities and deepening our engagement with industry and community partners,” said Chairman of Swinburne Sarawak’s Board of Directors, Datuk Amar Jaul Samion in his welcoming speech, who further expressed optimism when looking ahead to the university’s next chapter.
Over the past 25 years, Swinburne Sarawak has produced over 10,000 graduates from over 60 countries – accomplished individuals who continue to drive meaningful change and create real-world impact across industries both locally and globally. This journey stands as a testament to the institution’s unwavering commitment to academic excellence, research innovation and impactful industry and community engagement.
Swinburne Sarawak’s growth trajectory aligns seamlessly with the Sarawak government’s aspirations for human capital development and economic advancement. Through strategic partnerships with government and industry, the university serves as a vital catalyst in driving the state’s ambition of achieving a knowledge-based economy and developed society.
“Looking ahead, I envision Swinburne Sarawak becoming not only an academic hub for Sarawak and the region but also a centre for research, innovation, and development – a place where new ideas take shape, transformative discoveries are made, and the leaders of tomorrow are nurtured,” said Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg. In his speech the Premier also shared that the state government has agreed to establish a new research centre under Swinburne Sarawak.
“The state has identified an area measuring 10 acres for this new facility, which will be dedicated solely to advanced research. If needed, we’ll expand to 15 acres, and it will be funded and equipped with cutting-edge technology to help Sarawak produce world-class researchers and innovators,” he added.
A highlight of the evening was the official launching of the Swinburne Sarawak’s 25th Anniversary commemorative book, which recounts the university’s 25-year journey through the lens of those who have shaped its growth. This meaningful publication features compelling narratives and reflections from 31 influential figures in Swinburne Sarawak’s history, standing as a historical record and a source of inspiration as the university advances into its next chapter.
The evening also saw the presentation of the Distinguished Alumni Award to Chan Tyng Tyng, the founder of the Tyng Dance Academy and recipient of the prestigious Fellowship in Latin Dance by the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing. Meanwhile, the Distinguished Young Alumni Award was also presented to Christopher Tan, who is Digital and AI Transformation Lead at Keysight Technologies.
The gala dinner also showcased the talents of local performers, including 9-year-old dancer, the Little Bornean Birdie, Dion Das Louis, 19-year-old violinist, Imran Azim Iskandar, dance crew Zeppo Youngsterz, sape player from the band Meruked, Gideon Langub, vocal powerhouse Chien Ng and multi-award-winning collective, The Band Lab.
