Global campuses
Connecting to happiness: How Heriot-Watt University Malaysia is helping students make a positive difference
Across the world, as humanity faces unprecedented challenges, happiness might seem a frivolous state of being. But happiness can be a potent force. It can help individuals to contribute positively to the world by harnessing positive emotions, resilience and a sense of purpose.
Heriot-Watt University Malaysia (HWUM), a champion of positive education, is using happiness as a way to empower the next generation. Dr Lee Peters, Assistant Professor, HWUM, explains more:
“When we talk about happiness, it’s essential to be clear that this is not about being joyful all the time. What we are championing are three critical components of happiness: positive emotions, which stimulate a sense of wellbeing; resilience, which is the ability to bounce back after failure and setbacks; and a clear sense of purpose, which is a critical driving force for having an impactful life.
Our EmPOWER programme aims to equip our students with these attributes. It helps them to shape their own lives and contribute to the lives of others. Fostering critical thinking skills, emotional intelligence and an entrepreneurial mindset, it seeks to develop transformative competencies which can help them contribute positively to the world. We also engage our staff and our alumni in EmPOWER.”
Part of the EmPOWER programme involves developing an Impact Statement. This powerful tool helps participants to consider and articulate their purpose and the impact they would like to have on the world. It can be a very useful starting point, particularly for young students who are not yet sure of their career direction or what skills to develop. Many find it a revelatory experience.
Celebrating 397 EmPOWER Achievers at the EmPOWER Award Ceremony 2023
“One of the most enjoyable parts of the EmPOWER programme was devising my impact statement,” says Muhammad Imran Anaqi Azman, who studied BSc (Hons) Actuarial Science and currently works as a media intelligence associate. “It helped me to align my passion with my career aspirations, and now, how to think of the best ways to help the clients I serve. I used to think my purpose was about making math less complex, but realised it is actually about helping others make the best decisions using data. It helped me discover my true passion: marketing with data.”
The EmPOWER programme looks to support students to capitalise on their strengths, but it also hopes to heighten their gratitude and awareness. Developing gratitude has been shown to be strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness.
Maisarah Khairil Mubin, who studied BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying and currently works as a Project Quantity Surveyor at KPK Quantity Surveyors, commented: “The EmPOWER programme taught me to be a professional gratitude giver. I was fortunate to be among the first batch of students to join the programme when it was introduced in early 2019. We were encouraged to engage in meaningful projects and I gained the opportunity to plan and execute two community focused ones. Working with a team of passionate individuals and achieving our goals together was so rewarding. It was a transformative experience.”
As a four-stage leadership and developmental programme, EmPOWER enables students to better understand how to achieve successful outcomes in Leading Self, Leading Teams, Leading Communities and Leading Enterprises. Critically, it also seeks to build resilience – an essential trait for coping in an uncertain world.
“Happiness isn't only about positive emotions. It is also about resilience, purpose, meaning, and impact,” comments Professor Mushtak Al-Atabi, Provost and CEO of Heriot-Watt University Malaysia. “We will all have difficult times and resilience is important to deal with that. While we vary in how resilient we are, the good news is that resilience can be improved through experience, as well as through the intentional development of thoughts, behaviours and actions. Research shows that purpose-driven people are much more resilient.”
What we are championing are three critical components of happiness.”
HWUM students involved in the ‘EmPOWER Crowdfunding Project’ for a variety of charitable organisations
Maisarah Khairil Mubin comments again on the impact of EmPOWER: “I completed my studies during the lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I have never encountered such a challenging moment in my life. It was a difficult experience. However, what I learnt from the EmPOWER programme is that ‘difficult does not mean impossible’. As a result, I did gain employment shortly after completing my studies, despite the increasing unemployment rates and company shutdowns, and have developed perseverance and a growth mindset.”
Ooi Teng Hao, who studied MEng Mechanical Engineering and is currently working at BP as a Software Engineer, said: “With purpose-driven actions I feel I am more resilient to changes as the company's business needs evolve. During tough times, it has helped me stay true to myself and has been a strong driver for me to navigate through my career.”
Shaping a shared future built on the wellbeing of individuals, communities and the planet, requires individuals who have broader perspectives. The increased sense of purpose the EmPOWER programme fosters is helping many HWUM graduates to think beyond their own career aspirations.
“Through the programme I realised that life isn’t just about dollars and cents. As engineers, our current decisions will affect the future, so it is important to look at things from a wider perspective,” says Darmes Ganesan, who studied BEng Petroleum Engineering and currently works with DKSH, a Swiss multi-national company, within their Technology Business Unit. “I am now more aware of the global issues the world is facing and am motivated to work towards the betterment of our society.”
“The programme instilled in me a profound sense of purpose – to be a person who takes ownership of their work and strives for excellence,” commented Brandon Ng Han Wei, who studied MEng Mechanical Engineering and currently works as a Subsea Engineer. “It played a pivotal role in helping me define my core life values. I realised that by embracing my unique strengths, I could excel in the field of engineering and this mindset has driven me to consistently seek innovative solutions and approaches to engineering challenges.”
Happiness isn't only about positive emotions. It is also about resilience, purpose, meaning, and impact.”
Broadening the happiness agenda
HWUM also looks to engage wider audiences with the happiness agenda. Its annual Happiness Forum encourages people to try out new approaches that could steer them towards happiness. “Our task is to help people connect to happiness so they can go forward and make a positive difference in the world,” comments Professor Mushtak Al-Atabi.
This year the Happiness Forum was held in conjunction with Chong Hwa Independent High School in Kuala Lumpur. Over 250 educators from the school, and other Chinese Independent High Schools around the Klang Valley, attended.
“We want to support educators to be equipped with the confidence and courage to help their students think broadly, build resilience and positivity” said Professor Mushtak Al-Atabi. “We need them to be empowered to develop holistic learning environments where the benefits of positive education can be reaped by all. Education is not only about the transfer of knowledge but also about developing learners who have the courage to continuously challenge the world, change the way they think, and work to improve society.”
Our task is to help people connect to happiness so they can make a difference in the world.”
Get in touch with the EmPOWER team in Heriot-Watt University Malaysia by emailing, Marques Jeevan Menon, Programme Director of EmPOWER
