Heriot-Watt wins global tender to establish £20m campus in Malaysia

Heriot-Watt University has been chosen to establish a new campus in Malaysia, one of the fastest growing economies in the world, at an investment of £20 million.
The University was chosen as winner of the major international tender by the Malaysian Government and Putrajaya Holdings Sdn Bhd, the company behind the delivery of the campus, 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.

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

The announcement will be made at a high profile event being held in Putrajaya tomorrow (Tuesday 15 November), which will be attended by Heriot-Watt’s Principal, Professor Steve Chapman, Michael Russell, the Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning and Y Bhg Datuk Azlan Abdul Karim, CEO of Putrajaya Holdings.

Strengthening our 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

The move will see Heriot-Watt University provide the opportunity for thousands of students from Malaysia and international markets to take advantage of the same top-level degree programmes available in the UK
Professor Steve Chapman, Principal of Heriot-Watt University

Professor Steve Chapman, Principal of Heriot-Watt University said, “Opening a campus in Malaysia is an incredibly exciting development for us. We are delighted to be in a position to announce our plans to establish a new campus in Putrajaya, which further extends our global reach.
“The move will see Heriot-Watt University provide the opportunity for thousands of students from Malaysia and international markets to take advantage of the same top-level degree programmes available in the UK.
“This builds on Heriot-Watt’s highly successful establishment of a campus in Dubai in 2005 and cements both the commitment to providing accessible, high quality learning opportunities around the world and our drive to secure valuable, mutually beneficial relationships with students, industry and government on an international scale.
“In addition to the 8000 students based in Scotland, we currently deliver degree programmes to 13,000 people studying around the world, through distance learning, international academic learning partners and our campus in Dubai.”

Ambitious plans

The fact that Heriot-Watt has been chosen to set up a new campus in Malaysia shows the real strength of the university abroad as well as at home
Michael Russell, Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning

Michael Russell, Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning said, “The fact that Heriot-Watt University has been chosen to set up a new campus in Malaysia shows the real strength of the university abroad as well as at home. I am impressed by the ambitious plans for this development and the way in which the Principal and his team continue to build on their reputation as an established international provider of higher education.
“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.
“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.
“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.