ALTHOUGH most businesses sustained a subdued start to the year due to the pandemic-related selling pressure on glove manufacturers, there is a general optimism is in the air.
It is a welcome sign much needed in these fast and changing times for the business world, with new technology on the horizon in the form of the Industrial Revolution 4.0.
Those aiming to take control of their career as entrepreneurs and business experts will be facing challenging times, but one of the best places to get a firm business grounding is the Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University.
Making a mark in business
Edinburgh Business School is the most prominent business school in Scotland and is the largest in terms of student numbers.
Headed by the school's prolific executive dean, Prof Heather McGregor, the school aims to create opportunities for students to interact with business.
It is internationally well-known for both its teaching on-campus – which includes the ones in Scotland, Dubai and Malaysia – as well as online.
Heriot-Watt University Malaysia (HWUM) is the local 1.9ha state-of-the-art lakeside campus based in Putrajaya – the first “green campus” in the country and caters to the rising intake of international students, especially those from neighbouring countries in this region.
Students studying business at HWUM will become part of the Edinburgh Business School.
One business programme that is offered in this January intake is the Accounting and Business Finance undergraduate programme.
It awards the Master of Arts (MA) which is an undergraduate honours degree, bestowed by the age-old universities in Scotland and the UK, such as in Aberdeen, Dundee, Oxford and more.
It is the equivalent to the Bachelor of Arts (BA) undergraduate degree conferred to graduates of the arts, liberal arts, humanities or social sciences for other universities.
Saying that, this is a specialist degree, one designed to those who seek entry into the accounting profession, financial services or financial management.
Related professional bodies recognise this degree and may waive entrance examinations based on the graduates’ favourable results.
These associations include the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), and CPA Australia.
The business school also offers a Bachelor of Business Administration (Hons) degree in January, known as BBA (Hons), that aims to develop students’ understanding of business administration and management and develop practical skills appropriate for careers in this area.
Other available courses
This month, HWUM is also offering courses in mechanical engineering as well as quantity surveying and construction project management programmes.
The three-year Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) or four-year Master of Engineering (MEng) in Mechanical Engineering offers an exciting environment where many skills are brought together to create innovative products and the infrastructure and technology for manufacture.
Mechanical Engineers play key roles in all industrial sectors ranging from aerospace, oil and gas, through food and transport to manufacturing, chemical and entertainment industries.
Its MEng programme is accredited and recognised by the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) and fully accredited by the Malaysian Engineering Accreditation Council (EAC).
For registration by the BEM, an additional year to complete the MEng programme is required plus a minimum of 10 weeks industrial placement.
Those interested in quantity surveying can look forward to enrolling in HWUM’s BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying programme, which is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Board of Quantity Surveyors Malaysia (BQSM) and the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (ICES).
Learning during lockdown
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Heriot-Watt University all over the world developed an approach to enable learning to still continue, called the Responsive Blended Learning (RBL).
This approach ensures students can begin and complete their academic year on schedule, no matter where they study in the world.
In this way, a HWUM student can become part of the global Heriot-Watt community and learn through engaging online webinars, tutorials, discussions, and projects.
And when campus spaces become more accessible, small groups will be able to access and make the most of the modern and specialist learning spaces.
Edinburgh Business School associated head Dr Foo Yin Fah said: “Heriot-Watt University is nurturing accountants to meet the needs of the future through positive education.
“Heriot-Watt University graduates are all empowered through positive education to be responsible business leaders of the future.”
To apply for HWUM’s January 2021 intake, go to www.hw.edu.my or speak to education consultants virtually. Learn more about the university’s Bicentennial Anniversary Celebration 2021 or about the university itself.