MIRI: A group of enterprising business students from Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) took a step outside the traditional confines of their lecture theatres to delve into the practicalities of legal practice.
Recently, eleven second-year students embarked on an insightful visit to one of Miri’s premier law firms, Sia, Alvin Wong and Partners, as part of the university’s innovative Classroom to Field (C2F) Educational Programme.
The visit proved to be a vital opportunity for students enrolled in the Contract Law (BLAW2012) unit, allowing them to bridge theoretical learning with real-world legal applications.
Accompanied by Dr Mohammad Belayet Hossain, a lecturer in Accounting and Finance, the students engaged in an enlightening dialogue with practising advocate Victor Sia.
Sia offered a compelling insider’s perspective on the intricacies of contract law within commercial environments.
He captivated his audience by breaking down the essential elements of contract formation — namely offer, acceptance, consideration, legal capacity, and intent — by framing them in the context of typical legal disputes and actual case studies.
“A well-drafted contract is the backbone of any business relationship,” Sia said. “It’s not just about applying legal principles; it’s about anticipating problems before they arise and crafting agreements that can withstand scrutiny.”
Dr Belayet emphasised the significance of the visit, saying: “The students were able to translate theoretical knowledge into practical understanding, engage critically with case scenarios, and reflect on the ethical responsibilities inherent in legal documentation. Direct engagement with legal professionals is an invaluable step in preparing them for the complexities of future careers.”
One student expressed the collective sentiment of the group, stating, “Our textbooks teach us the fundamentals, but this experience showed us the real-world application — how lawyers adapt contract strategies to meet the fast-paced demands of the business world.”
This visit is part of a series of planned initiatives under the C2F programme, which aims to forge stronger academic-industry links across Curtin Malaysia’s business and legal disciplines.
It epitomises the university’s rigorous commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), by promoting experiential learning and highlighting the importance of transparency and effectiveness in legal frameworks for business.
