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Heriot-Watt University Malaysia held its convocation ceremony at its campus in Putrajaya on 3 December 2017, rolling out 145 graduates from its undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
During the ceremony, an honorary Doctor of University (DUniv) degree was conferred upon Dato’ Yeoh Seok Kian in recognition of his many contributions in the field of construction, urban development and utilities provision as well as his immense dedication in supporting educational development.
The high standards upheld by the university are in line with the foundation’s ethos, and we are proud to be able to play a role in helping its students excel in their fields of study.
Dato’ Yeoh graduated from Heriot-Watt University’s Edinburgh campus with a BSc (Hons) in Building in 1981 before pursuing an Advance Management Programme at Wharton Business School in the University of Pennsylvania. He is currently the Deputy Managing Director of YTL Corporation Berhad and Executive Director of YTL Land Sdn Bhd, its property arm.
According to Heriot-Watt University Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard Williams, Dato’ Yeoh is a prominent figure in the industry who has transformed the nation’s landscape. “Having spearheaded the multiple award-winning company, namely YTL Land, which has a diverse portfolio of residential and commercial developments, urban renewal and sustainable design initiatives, Dato’ Yeoh has consistently demonstrated his ingenuity and foresight throughout his career,” said Professor Williams.
YTL Corporation is one of the largest integrated infrastructure developers in Malaysia, with extensive operations around the world. It is also the driving force behind YTL Foundation.
Established in 1997 on the belief that education is the basis on which every society progresses, the foundation aims to empower individuals and communities to be catalysts of change to enrich and benefit society. Among others, it provides aid to deserving individuals to pursue higher education.
YTL Foundation has been supporting Heriot-Watt University Malaysia since the latter’s establishment in 2012, an initiative spearheaded by the late Tan Sri Dato' Seri Yeoh Tiong Lay, who emphatically believed in the importance of education.
Tan Sri Tan Sri Dato' Seri Yeoh Tiong Lay was also a recipient of an honorary doctorate from Heriot-Watt University. “The high standards upheld by the university are in line with the foundation’s ethos, and we are proud to be able to play a role in helping its students excel in their fields of study,” said Dato’ Yeoh.
To date, 15 Heriot-Watt University Malaysia students have received full scholarships from the foundation. Among those who benefitted from the foundation’s generosity is recent BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying graduate Jolene Khoo Lee Mei Yen, who acknowledges the integral part the foundation played in helping her pursue her dream. “YTL Foundation encourages collaboration by connecting scholars from various fields. This has not only opened up my horizons to endless possibilities, but also further developed my interpersonal skills,” she said.