Date Created: 16 November 2011
“As an established provider of international and transnational education, coupled with its success in Dubai, Heriot-Watt University was the clear choice for delivering a stellar education offering and a new campus in Malaysia” – Datuk Azlan, CEO Putrajaya Holdings
Heriot-Watt University (HWU) has been chosen to create a new £20 million campus in Malaysia – one of the fastest growing economies in the world.
This opportunity was sourced for HWU with help from Scottish Development International (SDI) and the university has been supported through a competitive bidding process over the past 12 months by SDI and Scottish Ministers.
The University was chosen as winner of the major international tender by the Malaysian Government and Putrajaya Holdings Sdn Bhd, in recognition of its strong reputation for creating diverse research and development opportunities and solid strong track record of success in linking with industry, commerce and the wider society.
Strengthening pan-global links
The new, purpose-built campus will create opportunities for up to 4000 undergraduate and postgraduate students to study a range of courses in science, engineering, business, mathematics and design, with a view to gaining a UK-recognised degree.
With around a third of the 7000 students studying at Heriot-Watt University coming from outside the UK, the move demonstrates the university’s drive to strengthen its pan-global links through the provision of valuable learning opportunities around the world.
It will also open up the potential for students in Scotland to study overseas, improving and supporting their individual links with a broad range of globally operating industries.
International reach
In addition to the 8000 students based in Scotland, Heriot-Watt currently delivers degree programmes to 13,000 people studying around the world, through distance learning, international academic learning partners and their campus in Dubai.
Ambitious plans
Welcoming the announcement Michael Russell, Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning said:
“This underlines the excellent global reputation of Scottish universities and the real quality of provision that Heriot-Watt offers in sectors that are important to Malaysia and its economy. I have no doubt this venture will be a success and help to strengthen the ties between our two countries.”
World-class education
Datuk Azlan, CEO Putrajaya Holdings, said that Malaysia’s aim to transform from a middle-income to high-income nation would require a keen focus and commitment to making world-class education accessible.
“Echoing the Government’s vision as outlined in the Economic Transformation Programme, education is one of the most critical drivers for our transformation to a high-income nation, with its impact on productivity and human capital development.
“We recognise that the benefits of this partnership will go much further than creating an environment for learning. It will deliver opportunities for economic development and growth through supporting future generations of business and academic professionals and carve out even stronger links between our countries. We are very much looking forward to the exciting journey that lies ahead,” Datuk Azlan added.
Find out more about partnering opportunities with Scotland’s world-leading higher education institutions