Published:
Heriot-Watt University Malaysia (HWUM) has recently concluded the #WattACelebration week in conjunction with our July 2023 Summer Graduation. The campus was lit with pre-graduation celebration on 8 July 2023 with various events and activities, celebrating our July 2023 graduands with their families and friends. The campus was lively with graduands collecting their graduation gowns and taking photos around the campus and was packed with prospective students and parents who came for our Open Day on 8 and 9 July 2023.
The celebration was even more meaningful with the presence of our alumni, who came to learn more about our EmPOWER programme. We had a blast hosting them at our EmPOWER event, where Professor Mushtak Al-Atabi, Provost and CEO of HWUM, talked about the impact that the EmPOWER Crowdfunding Project had on our students and the NGOs involved, which is a testament to our purpose-led education approach.
The event also featured an inspiring talk from one of the NGOs involved in the project, the Malaysian Federation of the Deaf (MFD). Ms Wan Zuraidah Abu, MFD's Head of Sign Language Interpreting Services and Public Relations, shared her experiences working with our students and how the project has helped MFD raise awareness about the deaf community.
Moderated by our Alumni Engagement Officer, Kathryn Taylor, who flew from HWU Dubai, the event gathered around 100 alumni who took the opportunity to connect and share their experiences. The event ended with a networking lunch and continued with the Graduation Ceremony at the Marriot Putrajaya Hotel on 9 and 10 July 2023.
The Watt Club, which is the platform for HWU graduates to stay connected as alumni, has always been a part of the graduation. Our alumnus Mr. Jackson Kua, who is the Honorary Secretary for Watt Club Malaysia, and an alumnus of MSc in Construction Project Management (Class of 2010) who attended the graduation ceremony in support of The Watt Club said: "It was a fantastic event that I had the opportunity to participate in as an alumnus of Heriot-Watt University. I am extremely proud to be a part of the alumni community. I am grateful to the University, and would like to show my appreciation here today."
Sharing his thoughts on the July 2023 Graduation Ceremony, Mr. Abbey Thangiah, an alumnus of BSc in Quantity Surveying (Class of 2011), who is also a member of the Watt Club said:
The July graduation is vibrant and lively. I just returned from the EmPOWER cheer, and we are all empowered! It is an honour and privilege to still feel a sense of belonging within HW Malaysia's community. Every year, the University never fails to invite alumni to be a part of the graduation celebration. We truly feel like we are still an integral part of Heriot-Watt University.
The #WattACelebration week was filled with excitement and joy as we celebrated the achievements of our students from the past, present, and future. It was an excellent opportunity for our alumni to reconnect with each other and our graduands. We want to thank our community who made this event a success, and we hope to see you again!