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On a radiant day of celebration, Heriot-Watt University Malaysia (HWUM) basked in the collective glow of achievement, recognising the tireless efforts of 358 Watt level completers at the illustrious EmPOWER Impact Celebration 2024. The date, March 27th, will be etched in HWUM as a day when the community of students, faculty, and staff united to applaud the perseverance of its changemakers and reinforce the bonds that tie us to the entire world.
The tapestry of this year’s celebration was rich with partnerships with eight remarkable charitable organisations, each a beacon in their own right, each a critical link in our collective endeavour towards a sustainable and equitable future:
- EPIC Homes: Building more than just houses, EPIC Homes constructs bridges to inclusivity and human dignity, contributing directly to the UN’s call for sustainable cities and communities.
- Fugee School: Championing the transformative power of education, Fugee School provides a haven of learning for refugee children, echoing the UN’s insistence on quality education for all.
- Heart to Heart Outreach: Extending a caring hand to the underprivileged, Heart to Heart Outreach embodies the UN’s mission to reduce inequality within and among countries.
- Malaysian Association for the Blind: Advocating for empowerment through accessibility, this organisation’s work intersects with the UN’s goal of ensuring sustainable economic growth while promoting full and productive employment for all, including persons with disabilities.
- Malaysian Federation of the Deaf: Amplifying the voices of the deaf community, this federation resonates with the UN’s vision of reducing inequalities and fostering inclusive societies.
- PAWS Malaysia: By advocating for animal rights and welfare, PAWS Malaysia underscores the UN’s life on land goal, fostering compassion and care for all beings.
- Seven Tea One: Integrating the underprivileged into the economy through employment in the production of artisan teas, Seven Tea One reflects the UN’s commitment to decent work and economic growth.
- Yayasan Chow Kit: Protecting and empowering at-risk children of Yayasan Chow Kit stands as a guardian of peace, justice, and strong institutions, aligning with the UN’s 16th goal.
Launching a campaign of epic proportions, these students embarked on a journey of purpose, commencing on 15 January 2024 and surging forward to 31 April 2024. Our fundraising crusade began with a vision and culminated in an epoch-making over RM 95,000 thus far, a figure that comes close to last year’s achievement but stands as a testament to the unwavering resolve of our students. We are on the road to raising a target of RM 120,000 to help these beneficiaries create a ripple change of positive effect within their respective segments.
As the Provost and CEO of HWUM, Prof. Mushtak al-Atabi, took to the podium, his words resonated with a fervent call to action—a reminder that our Watt, KiloWatt, and MegaWatt achievers are crafting a legacy that will ripple through time, epitomising what humanity can accomplish with unwavering determination and clarity of purpose.
Yu Yang Chua, a fresh-faced Year 1 Actuarial Science student, stood as a testament to the transformative power of EmPOWER. With a clarity that belied his years, he spoke of leveraging financial acumen for societal good, embodying his impact statement with every action taken to further financial literacy and fight poverty. His commitment weaves into the fabric of the UN’s goal to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
Tay Hong Ying, a Year 4 Civil Engineering beacon, captivated the audience with tales of her journey to becoming both a KiloWatt and MegaWatt achiever. Her narrative was not just one of personal triumph but a clarion call to her peers to ascend to new heights of impact, resonating with the UN’s objective to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, and foster innovation.
The EmPOWER Impact Celebration 2024 is a gleaming milestone in HWUM’s odyssey towards a future where education and purpose-driven impact converge. Each project undertaken, each life touched, and each leader forged under the EmPOWER programme’s aegis is a step closer to realising the vision of a more sustainable, equitable and enjoyable future for all.
We are reminded that every goal, from zero hunger to quality education, from gender equality to climate action, is within reach when armed with knowledge, imbued with compassion, and driven by a profound sense of purpose. As HWUM continues to champion the ethos of IMPACT, it does so with the conviction that our collective journey is part of a greater global tapestry of change. Heriot-Watt University Malaysia remains steadfast in its commitment to nurturing leaders not just for today but for a world that yearns for sustainability, equity, and joy for all.