KUCHING – The Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief executive of Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus was recently awarded the honorary title of Darjah Utama Yang Amat Mulia Bintang Kenyalang Sarawak Johan Bintang Kenyalang (JBK (H)).
Professor Helmut Lueckenhausen was awarded the title by Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Muhammad Salahuddin, the Head of State of Sarawak, on the occasion of the latter’s 89th birthday on 16 October, 2010.
The title, also known as the Order of the Star of Hornbill, will be officially bestowed on Lueckenhausen during an investiture to be held at the Astana, the official residence of the Head of State, on 30 November.
Professor Lueckenhausen, who was appointed Pro Vice-Chancellor of Swinburne Sarawak in 2007, was awarded the title in recognition of his contribution to tertiary education in Sarawak.
This year, under his leadership, Swinburne Sarawak was awarded self-accreditation status by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and rated ’excellent’ in the 2009 MQA Rating System for Malaysian Higher Education Institutions.
The university now has more than 3000 students and expects to have 5000 by 2013. International students currently hail from more than 40 countries.
Professor Lueckenhausen is one among only three individuals selected for this prestigious award.