Dr Ismail Ait Saadi
KUCHING: University students will have access to a network of support to help them develop research skills with the launch of the Borneo Research Education Conference (BREC 2013) next month.
The conference will be held at Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus on Aug 20 and 21.
Jointly organised by Swinburne Sarawak, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) and Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), it aims to improve education research in Borneo.
With the theme ‘Developing as a researcher through the culture of sharing’, BREC 2013 is open to research students pursuing doctoral or master programmes in business, management and other related disciplines.
“The focus of this conference is to give and receive feedback in improving the outcome of one’s research and develop oneself as a researcher,” said Dr Ismail Ait Saadi, chairman of the organising committee.
“Students at any stage of their research study can participate in discussions, get and give feedback, and use this experience to advance in their research,” added a senior lecturer from the Faculty of Business and Design, Swinburne Sarawak.
Working adults who intend to pursue a research-based programme will also benefit from attending this conference because it gives them the opportunity to interact with research students and supervisors from various universities.
“Current and future research students in this region should be part of the support network where they can get useful information, accurate feedback about their work and assistance in developing their research skills,” said Ismail.
“In BREC 2013, we have the combined resources of three major universities in Kuching, namely Swinburne Sarawak, UiTM and Unimas. Our long term goal is to get active involvement of all institutions of higher learning in Borneo,” highlighted Ismail, adding that the conference would be held every year.
Ismail pointed out that the conference was relevant in the context of national economic development policies and its target to produce 60,000 PhD students in Malaysia by 2020 through MyBrain15nya programme.
Those interested to attend the conference are advised to register before Aug 8.
For registration and details, visit http://www.swinburne.edu.my/brec/index.html.