Evelyn Chiong Tung

“Hi, I’m Chemical and Energy Engineering lecturer Evelyn Chiong Tung.

When I completed my undergraduate studies in chemical engineering at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, I was very confident that my life in university was finally over. Little did I know that I would end up in another university (Curtin Malaysia) several years later, as both a student and an academic.

I joined Curtin Malaysia in 2012 as an associate lecturer in Foundation of Engineering and Science. Those first two years of teaching served me well as I found I was able to maintain a decent work-family life balance. This prompted me to pursue a PhD with Curtin Malaysia and I became a full-time student again!

A PhD journey is not easy. I went through many tough times, especially in the final year when I was pregnant. I was on the verge of giving up but thankfully my supervisors stood by me and gave me endless support. I would not have completed my PhD without them.

In December 2019, I became a lecturer in Foundation of Engineering and Science again. I was warmly welcomed by my colleagues. It really felt like I was ‘coming home’. They have given me a lot of guidance and help, and together, we survived online teaching during the pandemic. I am now with the Chemical and Energy Engineering Department of the Faculty of Engineering and Science, and again surrounded by a group of kind and helpful colleagues.

In a nutshell, I am truly blessed to meet so many good people here at Curtin Malaysia, to work with them, and be mentored by them. With some of my colleagues, our relationships have blossomed into close friendships, and this has been one of the greatest joys of being at Curtin Malaysia!” – Evelyn Chiong Tung, Chemical and Energy Engineering lecturer

02 July 2023