Curtin programme empowers schools and communities

MIRI: Curtin University Malaysia’s (Curtin Malaysia) ‘Healthy Schools, Safe Futures’ programme has been hailed as an initiative to empower schools and communities.

The year-long series of events, led by the Department of Health Sciences at Curtin Malaysia’s Faculty of Humanities and Health Sciences, underscores the university’s commitment to enhancing health, safety, and well-being in Miri’s education sector.

Spearheaded by the department’s head, Rona Bang Tan, the programme has become a beacon of community engagement, offering students and educators vital tools for navigating today’s challenges while building a foundation for a healthier future.

The programme was first launched in April with an impactful Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) Awareness event at SMK St. Columba, drawing in a remarkable 1,030 students and 70 teachers across two interactive sessions.

Building on this momentum, Curtin Malaysia hosted a series of ‘Anti-Sexual Harassment, Cyberbullying, and Anti-Smoking’ awareness talks at SMK Chung Hua Miri in May, attended by over 350 students and teachers.

The event also featured a collaboration with the local health district office, offering students eye-opening insights into the dangers of vaping and smoking.

Understanding that teachers are key drivers of change, Curtin Malaysia organised the ‘Excel U’ Programme for Teachers’, back at SMK St. Columba.

Seventy teachers took part in this professional development workshop.

The final event of the programme, the ‘Positive Minds’ workshop, took place on Aug 16 at SMK Chung Hua Miri.

Focused on mental health and well-being, the event was attended by 120 teachers.

This event highlighted Curtin Malaysia’s holistic approach to education, where both mental and physical well-being are prioritised.

Reflecting on the success of the initiative, the faculty’s dean Professor Roy Rillera Marzo, took pride in the programme’s outcomes.

“This initiative is a powerful demonstration of Curtin Malaysia’s dedication to investing in the future of our community.

“By empowering both students and teachers with the knowledge and resources to create safer, healthier learning environments, we are contributing to a more resilient society.”

The ‘Healthy Schools, Safe Futures’ programme embodies our mission to drive positive social impact through education, he added.