Profile
How did you get to know Heriot-Watt University?
I’ve known about Heriot-Watt University for quite some time—my father completed his Postgraduate Diploma in Actuarial Science at Heriot-Watt back in 2003. When I finished school and began applying to universities in the UK, Heriot-Watt was naturally one of the top choices I considered, especially for Actuarial Science.
Heriot-Watt is one of the leading institutions globally for actuarial science, with a rich history and strong reputation in the field. It is widely recognised for the quality of its teaching, its research, and the number of exemptions it offers through accredited programmes. Knowing that I would be learning from one of the best gave me added confidence in my choice.
Why did you choose to study Actuarial Science, and at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia?
My interest in Actuarial Science began early on, largely because of my father's background. But what truly drew me in was the unique combination of mathematics and finance that the field offers. I’ve always been drawn to numbers and problem-solving, and Actuarial Science presented an intellectually challenging yet rewarding path that felt right for me.
What also appealed to me was the versatility of the degree—it equips you with analytical and financial skills that can be applied in both traditional insurance roles and emerging areas like data science and business analytics.
I initially applied to study Actuarial Science at Heriot-Watt’s Edinburgh campus, but while researching further, I discovered the Malaysia campus. It offered the same globally respected curriculum, was significantly closer to home in India, and came with a more accessible cost. The degree structure in Malaysia is also three years instead of four, which made it a very practical and attractive option.
What was your most memorable moment while studying with us?
There have been so many meaningful and memorable experiences during my time at Heriot-Watt Malaysia—it’s hard to pick just one!
One of my favourites was being part of the university's Haunted House event in my first year. I played the character of Slender Man (thanks to my height!), welcoming and scaring visitors alongside my friends. It was such a fun and collaborative experience, and despite how tiring it was, the teamwork and laughter made it unforgettable.
Another standout moment was participating in dragon boating on the stunning Putrajaya lake, just in front of our campus. The Heriot-Watt Dubai dragon boating club was visiting, and I got to join both training sessions. It was an exhilarating new experience—I learned a new sport, bonded with friends, and made new connections with students from the Dubai campus.
Beyond these one-off events, two longer-term experiences have been especially integral to my journey.
I’ve been a part of the Ariston Club, Heriot-Watt Malaysia’s community service club, for three years. What started as a way to relax and give back—when I joined the Marketing & HR team as a social media manager—soon became a core part of my university life. I made many new friends and gradually took on more responsibility, eventually becoming vice leader in my second year, and then team leader in my third. Being part of Ariston taught me a lot about teamwork, communication, and leadership—and created a real sense of belonging.
Another major highlight was helping found the Heriot-Watt Malaysia Cricket Club. A few of us cricket enthusiasts realized in our first year that the university didn’t have a cricket team—so we decided to start one. As the Events & Communications Officer and a team member, I was involved from the ground up. Although we didn’t have many skilled players initially, by year three we had a strong team. We trained hard, and I even stepped in as fielding coach for our practice sessions. Eventually, we hosted a tournament with other local universities and placed second—an achievement we were all incredibly proud of. The camaraderie, the thrill of playing together, and the lasting friendships we built through cricket made that tournament a true highlight.
Each of these moments, big and small, helped shape my university experience and made it uniquely memorable.