The search for the ideal Master of Business Administration (MBA) programme requires careful thought. Will it teach you how to turn your aspirations into impact on the world? Do faculty members have global experience? Can you get insight into multiple industries in multiple countries? Ultimately, will the MBA provide you professional advancement and personal enrichment?
Some schools manage to offer all this and more, and Heriot-Watt University Malaysia is one such institution. “The MBA programme was able to fulfil the theory needs and provide me with leverage when it comes to application. This helped to prepare me to meet the challenges in the industry or the working world,” says Sharmila Gunasekaran, a graduate who is currently the marketing and strategy lead at GSK Pharmaceutical Malaysia. “It has brought different perspectives and structured and organised thinking when working on a project.”
One of this MBA’s key features is its unique focus on the development of an Impact Statement. By articulation their personal and professional aspirations, goals, and desired impact on the world, they discover and realise the ample opportunities to reflect on their values, passions, and strengths. An Impact Coach provides support every step of the way. Through methods like this, the Edinburgh Business School (the Graduate School of Business of Heriot-Watt University) can ensure students stick to their goals and get hired by the best companies.
In fact, over 40% of Fortune 500 companies have employees at the Edinburgh Business School MBA programme. To open students up to incredible job opportunities, networking is crucial, allowing them to have meaningful conversations, exchange ideas, and discuss potential collaborations. Students can attend dinners and events that connect them with industry leaders, peers, alumni and faculty members.
“Heriot-Watt University is well-recognised and sought after by corporations, especially multinationals, in terms of employment of graduates,” says graduate Albert Teo, now a business consultant in Selangor and President of the Malaysian Watt Club. “Being a business consultant, virtually every subject I studied I have since applied to my clients, particularly in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) where many lack professional business acumen.”
To expose students to up-to-date and relevant business scenarios, the school has industry leaders come for talks and guest lectures. The exclusive Faculty CEO includes prominent individuals from many sectors who can share their wealth of on-the-ground knowledge. “The programme is taught by experienced faculty members who are experts in their fields and provide students with practical knowledge and skills relevant to the global business environment,” says Yang Fatimah, a 2022 graduate, an internal auditor at PETRONAS Chemicals Group Berhad. “In addition, Heriot-Watt University Malaysia’s MBA programme is accredited by major business school accreditation bodies.”
Available as a full-time or part-time programme, the MBA programme comes with a 20% tuition fee discount for all alumni. There are exclusive scholarships available as well. These cover the cost of study for the nine courses. The Shaping Women Entrepreneurs Scholarship is a collaboration between Edinburgh Business School and 30% Club Malaysia to offer working women a valuable opportunity to join the MBA programme. For students applying to postgraduate programmes in a group of more than one from the same company, there is the Heriot-Watt Corporate Partnership Postgraduate Bursary. Many scholarships are open to local, international, part-time or full-time students.
For this programme, diversity in its faculty and student body is paramount. Teachers from all over the world provide attendees with a global perspective and a well-rounded learning experience. Many attend this school for this very reason. “It was about grit, passion and perseverance,” says Lee Han Ther, a 2017 graduate who is currently the Security Practice Lead at telecommunications provider Maxis in Kuala Lumpur. “The most important factor was to widen my view as a senior leader, to be able to focus on strategy and to implement knowledge from the MBA programme.”
In seminars and classes, students from various industries and backgrounds share their rich experiences as they complete seven core courses and two electives. Students get 48 hours of interaction for each core course, followed by a 24-hour online written examination.
International study tours offer more opportunities to engage with diverse markets, industries, and management styles. It’s an expedition that’s taken many mindsets global. “With the unique MBA, I’m impressed with the balance of theoretical and practical business knowledge and the valuable exchange among peers from different industries,” adds graduate Jim Lee Loong Cheong, who is now the VP of Decision Management at Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad. “I now have a growth mindset helping my career progression.”
Start your MBA journey at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia. Click here to apply now.
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