KUCHING (July 11): As schools across Malaysia and the region face increasing challenges in recruiting qualified teachers, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus is stepping forward with the launch of its Graduate Diploma of Education (GDE).

The postgraduate programme is designed to prepare future-ready educators for today’s dynamic classrooms.

Swinburne Sarawak said in a statement that the one-year full-time (or two-year part-time) programme is open to degree holders from any discipline and blends design-thinking, educational innovation, and reflective practice to offer a transformative pathway into the teaching profession.

The course also responds to Sarawak’s development goals by addressing the growing demand for flexible, future-focused education pathways.

In support of this initiative, representatives from Swinburne Sarawak recently initiated discussions with the at the Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Higher Education Division head Sharifah Fariah Syed Junaidi.

The ministry has expressed its support for the programme, acknowledging its relevance and potential to enhance the quality of teaching and learning in Sarawak and beyond.

“What sets this programme apart is its foundation in design thinking,” said Faculty of Business, Design and Arts dean Prof Dr Brian Wong.

“By embedding creative problem-solving into every aspect of the curriculum, we are preparing future teachers to think critically, lead innovatively and respond effectively to the complexities of today’s classrooms.”

The GDE is distinguished by its design-school DNA, where design-thinking is embedded across all units, encouraging students to become adaptive and creative problem-solvers.

With a carousel structure comprising four 10-week terms per year and multiple intake points (March, May, August, and October), the programme offers the flexibility to study full-time or part-time.

Learning is delivered in multimodal format—face-to-face, live online, and asynchronously—allowing learners to manage their learning according to individual needs.

A key feature of the programme is the mentor-rich practicum, which provides hands-on experience in schools alongside a campus-based micro practicum, ensuring learners engage with real-world teaching from the outset.

Reflective practice is embedded throughout the programme via a structured journal, fostering continuous personal and professional development.

Learners can also tailor their experience through elective specialisations in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), English, or Assessment, aligning with current educational demands.

Graduates will be prepared for diverse career paths including primary and secondary school teaching, curriculum development, instructional design, education consulting, e-learning content creation, and roles such as inclusion specialist, learning support professional, or teacher educator.

The first intake is scheduled for October, with ongoing intakes offered in March, May, August and October each year. Applications are now open.

For more information on Swinburne Sarawak, visit www.swinburne.edu.my or its social media pages.

Brian Wong Graduate Diploma of Education lead Sharifah Fariah Syed Junaidi Swinburne