Curtin University of Technology
Curtinuni_logo.gif
Curtin University Logo
Curtin University of Technology is a technology-focused university with its main campus at Bentley, a suburb of Perth, Western Australia. It commenced operations with its current name in 1986, and was previously known as the Western Australian Institute of Technology (WAIT). Its current name is taken from the former Prime Minister of Australia, John Curtin.
Curtin University of Technology is Western Australia's largest university with over 31,000 students, of which nearly 11,000 study offshore. There are five main divisions at Curtin: Business; Engineering, Science and Computing; Health Sciences; Humanities; and Resources and Environment.
Curtin is regarded by many as having the premier Business School in Western Australia. The Department of Computing is renowned for high class graduates in the fields of Software Engineering and Computer Science. It also has strengths in other professional and vocational areas, that reflect its history (see below). Upon becoming a university, Curtin became eligible to grant doctorates by research, and to compete for research funding: while not considered one of Australia's 'big' research universities (such as the oldest universities in Sydney and Melbourne), Curtin has a growing reputation for research success in specific areas.
WAIT was formed in 1966. Its nucleus comprised the tertiary programs formerly conducted in the Perth Technical College which opened in 1900. In 1969 three more institutions were merged with WAIT: The W.A. School of Mines (originally opened in 1902), the Muresk Agricultural College (dating from 1926) and schools of physiotherapy and occupational therapy in operation since the 1950s.
Curtin has three campuses outside of Perth, located in Kalgoorlie, Muresk and Miri. The first two campuses reflect the university's traditional strength in mine engineering (Kalgoorlie), and agriculture and resources (Muresk).
The Miri campus, in Sarawak, Malaysia, is a significant development for the university. Previously many students from Asian nations have been taught in so-called offshore programs, through local non-university education providers in Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia. These students received Curtin University degrees, but were not formally studying 'at Curtin'. Now, at Miri, a complete campus of the university, rather than partner institutions, has been established.
| Contents |
Interesting points on campus
Interesting places on campus recomended to students studying at Curtin include:
Food
- Main Cafeteria
- Located in the Guild Precinct, building 106.
- Wide range of standard dishes and large eating area.
- Noodle house
- Noodle and rice meals available.
- The Deli House / Sushi Bar
- Unique and stylish food available here.
- Microvawe food, take away.
- Bookmark Cafe
- Located on the first floor of the Library building, right near the Library entrance. Building 105.
- Excellent food.
- Good meeting place for students.
- The Vege Patch
- Located in building 210 (near Elizabeth Jolley lecture theatre).
- Healthy alternative on campus, with fresh salads, pastas, sushi and vegetarian meals.
- Café Angazi
- Located in building 408, the new business school area.
- The newest café to open on campus, with coffee and cakes.
- Kirribilli Café
- Located in building 200 (John Curtin Centre).
- "Five star modern, Australian cuisine in a sophisticated setting".
- The Basement
- George's Kebabs
- Located before The Tav.
- Non-microwave food take away.
- Fairly popular location, usually with long queues.
- The Tav
- Located in the Guild Precinct, building 106.
- Usually has plenty of bands on Friday night as well as other times (usually advertised beforehand)
- Cheap beer and the large indoor/outdoor area allows for much enjoyment between classes.
Library
- T.L.Robertson Library
- The only library on campus, located in building 105. For more info, see the Library web site.
Commercials
- Pharmacy
- Stocks a selection of drugs and pharmaceutical goods, such as antibiotics, paracetamol, wound dressings, etc.
- Ink Shop
Computer Labs
- Abacus Lab
- General access labs located in buildings 303, 408 and 501.
- Provides PCs running Windows 2000, as well as a handful of Macs and scanning and printing stations.
- See Abacus Labs web site for more info.
- Computing Lab
- Labs restricted to students undertaking Department of Computing units.
- Maths Lab
Student Guild
The Curtin Student Guild is the student representative association at Curtin University. All sudents automatically become members of the guild under current compulsory student union legislation, but they can coose to opt out. As well as handling student representation, the Guild manages most of the food outlets on campus, runs the tavern, the second hand bookshop and the Megazone amusement centre. The guild partially finances many of the student associations on campus and run specific guild events of their own. Finally, the guild publishes Grok, the campus magazine.
For more information, see the Guild website.
Student Clubs
- ComSSA
ComSSA is the student academic and social club for the department of Computing at Curtin. ComSSA is well known for the social activities it runs throughout the year and provides academic services such as feedback to the department and university, computing related seminars, career expo's, etc. While Computing students are automatically ComSSA members, students from other schools and departments may also join. For more information, see the ComSSA website.
- GEOS
Geos is the social club which caters to students of Geology, Geophysics and other geology related courses in the Resource and Environment division. It regularly organizes social events, principally related to the consumption of alcohol, but often also industry and career related events. Currently, GEOS is petitioning the university to provide a student common room for Geology students.
Transportation
Bentley campus
- Car
There are several car parks around the campus, for staff and student use. Finding an appropriate parking spot, however, is notoriously difficult during the day, with students often having to resort to so-called 'temporary' (read: unpaved) parking areas. For more info, see the Parking and Traffic web site.
- Public transport
Transperth provides several bus services to and from Bentley, see Curtin University Bus Station for more details.
Alumni
Past Curtin attendees include:
- John Butler, musician
- Priya Cooper, Gold medal swimmer at the Sydney Paralympic Games
- Richard Curry, head of the Department of Indigenous Affairs
- Amanda Higgs, producer of The Secret Life Of Us
- Sheila McHale, Cabinet minister in the Government of Western Australia
- Tim Winton, author
- John Worsfold, coach of the West Coast Eagles