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A leading figure in digital technology and enterprise has joined Heriot-Watt University Malaysia
Yang Berbahagia Datuk Yasmin Mahmood has been named Chair of the University’s Malaysia Board of Directors.
Datuk Yasmin has a highly distinguished career, spanning three decades, during which time she has worked with various technology giants including Hewlett Packard and Dell. In 2006, she became Microsoft Malaysia’s Managing Director and in 2014, was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Malaysia Digital Economy Corp Sdn Bhd (MDEC) and was instrumental in the region’s digital economic transformation.
Datuk Yasmin currently serves in non-executive roles in prominent establishments including as Chairperson of POS Malaysia, the national postal and courier company, and Advisor to the global leader in artificial intelligence, Skymind.
Heriot-Watt University’s Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Richard A. Williams today welcomed Datuk Yasmin to the University, saying:
I’m delighted to welcome Datuk Yasmin to Heriot-Watt University and our global community. Her experience in the digital industry, working for some of the world’s largest companies, will provide an invaluable contribution towards the University’s shared vision of delivering worldwide impact through our pioneering research, whilst also ensuring a unique learning experience for our students.
“2021 is a milestone year for Heriot-Watt, being 200 years since our founding roots in Scotland were established. Since then, two centuries of innovation have followed leading to what is today a unique international institution with campuses in Malaysia, the UK and Dubai.
“As we celebrate our past throughout this bicentennial year, we continue to be a pioneer in education, with a focus very much on the future.”
Heriot-Watt University Malaysia’s Provost and Chief Executive Officer, Professor Mushtak Al-Atabi commented;
“At Heriot-Watt University, we pride ourselves in using Positive Education to develop purpose-driven, resilient and future ready graduates. The appointment of Datuk Yasmin will help drive our vision for excellence and will greatly support our aspirations over the coming years. Datuk Yasmin’s passion for people and technology will help us continue to promote greater inclusion in a complex digital world.”
Datuk Yasmin is widely known as Malaysia’s Digital Economy ‘ambassador’ and is a seasoned speaker at internationally renowned platforms such as the World Economic Forum, International Telecommunication Union and the World Islamic Economic Forum.
Heriot-Watt University Malaysia’s new Chair, Board of Directors, Datuk Yasmin Mahmood, commented:
“I am honoured to be part of Heriot-Watt University Malaysia, to support the on-going development of the University and the execution of its Global Strategy 2025. I hope that in sharing my industry expertise and insights, I will help strengthen the connection between public and private partnerships, inspire digital solutions that will benefit the University both now and in the future and promote the world-class teaching experience for our leaders of the future.”