Heriot-Watt University Malaysia celebrates Mid-Autumn Festival with culture and community
Heriot-Watt University Malaysia (HWUM) brought tradition and diplomacy together in a vibrant celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival, welcoming Chinese diplomats and hundreds of students from diverse backgrounds for an evening of cultural exchange, unity, and shared heritage.
The celebration followed the University’s recent collaboration with Education Malaysia Beijing, marked at an event on 11 September at Jen Hotel in Beijing, highlighting the University’s ongoing efforts to build strategic ties within China’s education landscape.
Held at the Happy Café and Plaza on the University’s Putrajaya campus, the event was organised by the Heriot-Watt University Malaysia Student Association (HWUMSA), the Chinese Students and Scholars Association (HWUMCSSA), and the Chinese Cultural Society (HWUMCCS).
The celebration was graced by Mr. Zhao Chang Tao, Counsellor at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Malaysia, and Mr. Tang Jing, Secretary of Education at the Embassy, as guests of honour. Their presence reaffirmed the event’s significance not only as a cultural celebration but also as a platform for strengthening diplomatic and educational ties between Malaysia and China.
“When our students come together to celebrate each other’s heritage, they cultivate empathy, respect, and a deeper understanding of what it means to be a global citizen.”
“At Heriot-Watt, we believe that cultural celebration is an essential part of a global education. Events like the Mid-Autumn Festival not only honour tradition but also help build bridges across cultures. When our students come together to celebrate each other’s heritage, they cultivate empathy, respect, and a deeper understanding of what it means to be a global citizen. This reaffirms our commitment to fostering an inclusive and globally engaged campus, and it is through this spirit that we nurture purpose-driven leaders,” said Professor Mushtak Al-Atabi, Provost and Chief Executive Officer of Heriot-Watt University Malaysia.
Also in attendance were Professor Richard A. Williams, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Heriot-Watt University, and members of the senior leadership team, who echoed the University’s dedication to promoting inclusion and global engagement.
HWUMSA President Pearlyn Tee spoke on the importance of student-led initiatives in building community and fostering cross-cultural understanding.
The evening featured a curated programme of traditional performances, hands-on lantern crafting and mooncake tasting. While the Mid-Autumn Festival holds deep cultural significance for Chinese communities, the University’s celebration welcomed students of all nationalities, reinforcing a message of inclusion and shared experience.
The event served as a meaningful moment of connection between university leadership, the student body, and diplomatic representatives, reaffirming the University’s role as a hub for cultural exchange and global learning.