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Heriot-Watt University has been named International University of the Year by the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018. It is the first time the International University of the Year has been a category in the prestigious awards.
Heriot-Watt was selected as International University of the Year in recognition of its truly global presence and impact: the University has five global campuses in the UK, Dubai and Malaysia, partners in 150 countries and over 30,000 students worldwide.
Its Malaysian campus celebrated this at a special launch event attended by guest of honour, Dato’ Seri Haji Idris bin Jusoh, Minister of Higher Education, Malaysia and British High Commission’s Director of Trade and Investment, Debbie Clarke.
With an iconic campus in Putrajaya, its presence is testament to the quality higher education offerings available in Malaysia. As we aim towards becoming an international higher education hub, I am confident of Heriot-Watt University’s role in making this a reality
"With high-quality, new campuses in Malaysia and Dubai, Heriot-Watt students have outstanding opportunities to study abroad as part of their degree, while the overseas campuses also provide openings for students to travel in the opposite direction and experience Edinburgh first-hand. More than most, Heriot-Watt has embraced the world view that marks out the finest higher education, making it our International University of the Year." Alastair McCall, editor of The Sunday Times Good University Guide stated.
To celebrate this momentous milestone, the University is offering a free two-week study trip to the Edinburgh Campus to those who enrol for the January 2018 intake with the exception of Petroleum Engineering programme.
Additionally, Heriot-Watt students are encouraged to take advantage of the Go Global programme which allows them to transfer to any other campuses in the UK and Dubai seamlessly as long as their programme is offered at their campus of choice.
According to Heriot-Watt University Malaysia’s CEO and Provost, Professor Mushtak Al-Atabi, this is possible due to the close working relationship between campuses and its one university approach. He said: “All of the programmes offered here in Malaysia are identical to the ones offered in the UK and Dubai campuses. The same course leader oversees the courses offered globally, therefore providing students with a seamless experience whenever they transfer to any of the campuses.
“In the Malaysia campus alone, we have students from 55 countries, including close to 80 UK students who have transferred here or will be arriving in January under our Go Global programme for this academic session. We see this number to increase over time as the Go Global programme gains momentum. This aligns with the Ministry of Higher Education’s target to bring in a total of 200,000 international students to Malaysia by 2020.”
The event also included a short forum with international students who shared their impressions about their experience in Malaysia and how they feel Malaysia as their second home. They also encouraged other students to transfer to the Malaysia Campus under the Go Global programme.
Zoe Cuthberson, Business student who transferred to Malaysia from the UK for a year, said: “Malaysia's prime location in the central part of East Asia makes it easy for me to travel and see Asia while living here. The campus environment is also different because classes are smaller and there are more opportunities for participation and discussion. Of course, the weather here is a huge plus compared to chilly Edinburgh.”
Guests headed to the University’s Plaza to witness the official launch which saw Dato’ Seri Haji Idris release a bunch of balloons, unfurling a three-storey tall banner that proclaimed the University’s latest achievement.
Dato Seri Idris Jusoh. said: “On behalf of the Ministry of Higher Education, allow me to congratulate Heriot-Watt University for receiving this award. With an iconic campus in Putrajaya, its presence is testament to the quality higher education offerings available in Malaysia. As we aim towards becoming an international higher education hub, I am confident of Heriot-Watt University’s role in making this a reality."
With a legacy of excellence that spans nearly two centuries, Heriot-Watt University has received numerous awards and accolades through the years. Besides the International University of the Year award, the University is also ranked among the top 50 universities for international outlook according to The World University Rankings 2018 as well as 28th in the UK and third in Scotland by the Complete University Guide 2018, to name a few.
For more information on the programmes and scholarships offered at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia you can visit our campus in Putrajaya on our Open Days on 16 and 17 December 2017. Alternatively, log on to www.hw.edu.my or call +603 8894 3888/e-mail hwum@hw.ac.uk.