In a highly competitive job landscape and a volatile economic climate, it is imperative to stand out from the sea of jobseekers. And one of the best ways to do so would be with a postgraduate degree from a reputable institution.

Heriot-Watt University paves the way with an excellent track record of academic and research excellence since the year 1821.

This year, Heriot-Watt University will be celebrating its bicentennial with its global alumni at its campuses in Scotland, Malaysia, and Dubai; reaffirming its historic commitment in expanding access to practical and relevant learning, research and enterprise by looking to the future with a renewed focus on global sustainability. The university stands as the eight oldest higher education institute in the United Kingdom.

The FutureMade university is committed to developing graduates that are prepared for a volatile world. Most importantly, its graduates are highly employable and sought after by the top employers worldwide, with over 90% in graduate level jobs or further study within six months of graduation.

In line with the University's commitment to ensure that students are ready for the future, the University continues to offer high-quality British education and international study opportunities since 2014, at its purpose-built 1.9ha state-of-the-art lakeside campus in Putrajaya, the first "green campus" in Malaysia; catering to a global network of students, particularly those from bordering countries. Its core areas cover business, science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and fashion - subjects that make real impact on the world and society.

MSc Strategic Project Management alumni Didar Akhmed shares how Heriot-Watt has been a high point in his life, "It's been a great pleasure to be able to study at a respectable and high-ranked institution while working in Malaysia. My studies have been a perfect blend of academic and industry knowledge while working with classmates from a diverse background. There is something special about the environment here that makes it motivational and comfortable for me to study. Lecturers are highly experienced, making each class fun, educational and interactive."

In the face of the "new normal", a postgraduate degree can help students excel further - improving competency, skills and management knowledge required for high level positions. 

The university offers several postgraduate-taught programmes aimed at cultivating lifelong learning from its School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society; and School of Social Sciences and Edinburgh Business School for its January 2021 intake. Among these programmes are their Business and Built Environment programmes (i.e., Commercial Management and Quantity Surveying) which are available for either part-time or full-time study. 

Due to the pandemic, Heriot-Watt University has taken proactive measures to enable the continuity of education by introducing Responsive Blended Learning (RBL). 

In addition to conventional learning methods, RBL combines active, supported online learning such as webinars, with appropriate face-to-face learning opportunities whenever it is conducive.

RBL also prepares students for the digital era by moulding them into individuals that are nimble and able to adapt to changing situations and environments.

The University's School of Social Sciences and the Edinburgh Business School has expanded its business management education suite to include a comprehensive range of undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes. 

These programmes are designed to equip students with skills of the future that are demanded by employers, preparing them for the VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous) world. 

All of its Business postgraduate programmes are available in full-time and part-time modes, while the Master of Business Administration (MBA) programme is available in part-time mode only. The programmes offer practical "real-world" knowledge that supports students with an understanding of the fundamentals of business and business situations.

"With major economic turmoil predicted in the coming months and year, we can assume that a career change is a matter of 'when' and not 'if'. Holding a postgraduate degree would not only provide security in the area of the students' expertise, but also serve as an assurance that they are credible candidates with a high degree of professionalism that is needed for a job," said Dr Gowrie Vinayan, PhD, PMP, Associate Professor at Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University Malaysia.

Similarly, Heriot-Watt also offers postgraduate programmes such as the MSc Construction Project Management and MSc Commercial Management and Quantity Surveying to produce high-skilled talent who are equipped with the right abilities accompanied by the capacity to navigate the intricacies for the future of work. 

Heriot-Watt University's Assistant Head of School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society (EGIS), Professor Satesh N. Namasivayam, says,  "The disruption caused by the pandemic has necessitated for businesses and industries to adapt to the new normal. Such changes require us to change and up-skill ourselves, allowing us to remain current and competitive in challenging environments."

"Up-skill yourself by enrolling into some the world's best MSc's offered by HWUM. Our building-related degrees are ranked among the top in the world while our Energy related degrees are industry focused. Our MSc's in the Built Environment also offer a bespoke, executive programme, aimed at developing resilience in our graduate students, allowing you to excel and stay relevant in today's world."

MSc Construction Project Management alumni Abdelhakim Mustapha concurs that his postgraduate experience gave him an edge, "Courses were globally interesting, as a future project manager, I loved Project Management, Organization & People Management, Contracts and procurement, Financial Management and Value & Risk Management. I found these courses helpful for my future career in the Energy industry and how to bring a sustainable project with a value-based methodology."

"Moreover, I intend to work internationally, therefore coming to Malaysia was a great experience to adapt myself with students and lecturers from various countries. In a near future, I plan to work in Asia Pacific or the Middle East, Heriot-Watt helped me to grow my network with various students and lecturers from the same industry as mine."

Heriot-Watt University is ranked top ten for building; and 5th for Town and Country Planning Landscape Design in the United Kingdom (UK), according to the 2021 Complete University Guide. Meanwhile, in the 2021 Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide, Heriot-Watt remains 1st in Scotland for six consecutive years: and 2nd in the UK for Building.

Heriot-Watt University is receiving applications for the January 2021 intake. Last day to sign up is on 25th January 2021. For more information on Heriot-Watt's University, kindly visit www.hw.edu.my. 

Alternatively, you may contact the university to make a personal virtual appointment with its Education Counsellors for another day especially for those in East Malaysia who are not able to visit the campus physically. Kindly WhatsApp and call: +60 12-651 2599.