Swinburne Sarawak launches inaugural Industry X Day 2025 to connect students with industry

KUCHING (Dec 5): Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus launched its inaugural Industry X Day 2025, uniting students and industry leaders in a vibrant showcase of creativity, innovation, and collaboration.

Held on campus grounds, the flagship event marked the university’s first dedicated industry-focused exhibition, designed to highlight student talent while fostering meaningful engagement with real-world partners and professionals.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, State Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan praised the growth of local young talent and applauded Swinburne for championing industry-linked education.

“I am incredibly proud to see how our young talents are evolving and how institutions like Swinburne are championing industry-linked learning.

“This is the way forward — not just teaching skills but connecting students directly to the world that needs them,” he said.

“This is exactly what we want to see more of in Sarawak: a place where imagination meets industry, where students meet opportunity, and where big ideas meet even bigger possibilities.”

Snowdan also urged youths to play a more active role in shaping the state’s expanding creative sector.

“Sarawak needs your imagination. Our creative industry is growing, and we want to see more young designers, storytellers, innovators and thinkers taking their place in it.

“So, congratulations to all the students showcasing your work today. And to everyone who made this event possible, thank you for giving Sarawak’s creative future such a strong foundation,” he said.

Industry X Day 2025 was supported by key partners and sponsors, including Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation, Mango Media (China), Sharing Group, and AM Global.

Through curated exhibition zones, networking spaces, and student-industry interaction points, the event enabled professionals to mentor emerging talents, provide feedback, explore collaborations, and connect with potential future hires.

The showcase featured outstanding work from the School of Design and Arts, spanning student projects in Multimedia Design, Graphic Design, Digital Media Design, and emerging creative technologies.

Industry X 2025 chair Jasmine Ng said industry participation was central to the event.

“We invited many industry partners to come and see what the students have produced. Degree teams in graphic design are working on real client projects, while diploma students focus on campaign-based work for chosen organisations,” she said.

“The multimedia team is developing a range of interactive pieces. I am really glad and thankful to everyone who made it. And to the students, I hope their design journey does not stop here.”

Also present were School of Design & Arts head Assoc Prof Dr Predrag Nikolic, and Faculty of Business, Design, and Arts dean Prof Dr Brian Wong Kee Mun.