Zuraida Abdul Malek

Profile

Q1: What was your most memorable moment here at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia?

There're quite a number, to be honest, in terms of the memorable moments. But for me, besides the campus itself, the lake facing the campus. And of course, you have wonderful lecturers.

I think the beautiful friendships make the difference, the interactions that I had with them, the exchange of insights, which were very meaningful because we come from various backgrounds and industries. So whenever we had interactions either in class or off class, I would say it was very meaningful in the sense where we exchange thoughts and ideas from different backgrounds, like I mentioned earlier.

And for me, it added value to us, to each other, it enriches, I believe, not just for them, but for myself as well, in terms of my perspective, and the mindset that I have now, I think I've grown with this programme and those beautiful friendships, which I hope to maintain and continue for the rest of my life.

Q2: Why did you decide to study Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia?

I've been surveying around in terms of the MBA programmes that I would like to enrol in, and I came across Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh Business School (EBS) MBA programme, which I've attended several programmes first, because they had the CEO lecture talks and so on. And that made me attracted to continue and choose Master of Business Administration (MBA) with Edinburgh Business School (EBS), Heriot-Watt University.

In terms of the courses and modules designed by Edinburgh Business School (EBS), I think they really help me to uplift my understanding, my level of knowledge and insight which helps me to translate it well in my business and consultancy services and serve my clients well.

Q3: Could you describe your experience during your visit to the UK campus?

Yes, I managed to visit the UK campus, which is the main campus. And I visited two times. I visited last year and also this year. It was a very interesting and wholesome trip.

I would say throughout my visit there and I managed to experience some different kinds of leadership and visits, last year and this year and I got to see, students from various countries, and I think when we have the kind of programme where you have students from other countries and regions join us, we get to exchange more ideas, more thoughts and more perspectives.

It was a very intense and meaningful exchange, which I think is not just me. Whoever attended the MBA visit programme would definitely come back to their own country and feel like, hey, this is something else, and for me, because I chose the MBA programme here, the visit to the UK actually helped me to see and witness for myself the origins of Heriot-Watt itself, the history and the establishment and the lecturers and the genius intellects behind the MBA programme, who designed our courses and modules.

And to have that direct interaction with them, to even share our thoughts on how best we can improve this programme for future students. So I think it's a wholesome trip. I love it. I hope to get to go to the UK every year for that visit.

Q4: In what ways has the MBA programme empowered you to make an impact in your organisation or industry?

I would say first, if I can go back again, it's because of the the courses and the modules that are designed. They follow the latest insights, trends and the latest practises of the industry. So, I like the fact that the courses and the modules are designed in a way that makes us as relevant as possible.

When we complete the programme and when we apply it in our work or business, we bring practical knowledge, into our work itself, which for me, in my case, since I'm running my own business, Zeta M consulting, really helps me to give that insight, that strategy and help my customers, my clients on business directions, when it comes to helping them achieve to their next level of growth.

So yes, it's meaningful in that sense and to me Edinburgh Business School (EBS) and Heriot-Watt University itself are great brands that people

know. So that helps me as well, in terms of the impact.

Q6: What makes you a proud Heriot-Watt University graduate?

I am a proud Heriot-Watt University graduate because Heriot-Watt University has helped me to make myself become the next best level of HWUMAN.