GLOBCOM2015 BORNEO

Case Study: GlobCom 2015 in Borneo, hosted by Curtin University

In 2014 Curtin University volunteered to host the 2015 GlobCom challenge, culminating in the annual Symposium in tropical Borneo at our Malaysian campus (4-6 June). This enabled us to to expand the number of participating countries in the global student challenge bringing our Malaysian students on board) and to showcase Curtin University and our public relations program globally.

Curtin secured high-profile client World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) Malaysia as real life client for the 2015 student challenge (more details on next page or via link). WWF Head of Borneo Leader Dr. Henry Chan made himself available for live student briefings via Skype and he and WWF staff played a prominent role throughout the Symposium. The project focus on CSR, Biodiversity and sustainability was adopted as overall project and conference / symposium theme.

A total of 135 international visitors and 80 local delegates attended the conference, plus 40 Curtin students volunteered as ambassadors over the three day event.

The program included social events (e.g. a welcome function at the Piasau Boat Club, nature walks), industry panel discussions, mentoring by industry professionals, live pitches by the three finalist teams, a Gala Dinner and a cultural immersion day (excursion to Niah Caves and participation in traditional Gawai Harvest Festival Celebration).

Industry participants represented key sectors such as finance, the media, multinational corporations and government agencies (Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei).

93% of participants in the annual GlobCom feedback survey (very) strongly agreed that the experience had increased their cross-cultural literacy and ability to collaborate in multicultural teams.

"The participating youth felt empowered as they were making a meaningful contribution to global environmental concerns.

The winning communications campaign pitch together with the other team plans will be used by the WWF for their regional & global campaign implementation"

Dr Kamala Vainy Pillai, Organising Chair

"Building on the Global Alliance’s commitment through the Stockholm Accord (2010), Melbourne Mandate (2012) and Madrid Momentum’s Communication with Conscience (2014), GlobCom 2015 served as an innovative platform for future public relations and communication professionals to explore and experience first-hand their leadership role and contribute directly to sustainability and societies by working with an NGO (external stakeholder) and addressing a real world problem".

Dr Kamala Vainy Pillai, Organising Chair

Traditional dancers welcome delegate at the 2015 GlobCom Symposium

Symposium speakers included:

YB Datuk Dr Lee Kim Shim, Assistant Minister of Communication, Malaysia
Ben Ridley, Regional Head of Sustainability, Asia Pacific, Credit Suisse
Samer Allawi, Aljazeera International Media Network
Mohamud Haji Yussof, CEO, Heart of Borneo Centre & Head of Biodiversity Research & Innovation Centre, Ministry of Industry Primary Resources, Brunei Darussalam
Oswald Braken Tisen, Deputy General Manager, Protected Areas & Biodiversity Conservation Division, Sarawak Forestry
Simon Silburat, Genral Manager for Group Sustainability, Wilmar International Limited, Singapore
Retno Surati, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Indonesia
Dr Voker Stoltz, President, Global Communication Institute
Professor Jim Mienczakowksi, Pro Vice-Chancellor & Chief Executive, Curtin Sarawak

Photo of one of the industry panel discussions

See http://www1.curtin.edu.my/GlobCom2015/index.htm for an archived version of the Symposium website, including the full program, speeches and information about industry speakers.

Download a copy of the Souvenir Booklet via the link on the left