ALUMNI FOCUS
Making an impact:
Past and present student presidents of Heriot-Watt University Malaysia Students Association reflect on leadership and the importance of community
The role of Student President is an important one. It brings a unique perspective on university life and a wealth of experience, which frequently result in those who take on the role becoming future leaders and decision-makers.
This past year marked the 10th generation of Student Presidents at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia Student Association (HWUMSA) and, at a special event bringing together alumni, new graduands, academics and staff, past and present HWUMSA Presidents provided insights on the role and their own powerful stories of positive impact.
“Student Presidents strive to build strong and vibrant communities and to leave behind a lasting legacy that will positively impact generations to come,” comments Pearlyn Tee Pei Lin, who is studying Actuarial Science and took up her role as the latest and 10th HWUMSA Student President in 2024. “But leadership isn't confined to the role of Student President; every one of us, students and alumni alike, has the power to make a positive impact. I like a quote by Robert Ingersoll, ‘We rise by lifting others’, which I believe captures the essence of our community at Heriot-Watt. By supporting each other, sharing our experiences, and fostering a culture of mutual growth, we can achieve remarkable things.”
Students at the Malaysia campus.
Chair of Court Bruce Pritchard (left) with past and present Student Presidents at the alumni event.
Through the experience I learned the importance of resilience, strategic thinking, and collaboration.”
Ygandran Lechumanan
Ygandran Lechumanan is an entrepreneur and engineer who has been recognised for his significant contribution to student welfare and for his leadership skills, receiving the ‘Key Opinion Leader Malaysia’ award by Go MonSta Asia in 2019 out of a competitive pool of 350 nominated leaders from 35 universities across the nation. He was the first Student President of HWUMSA when it was established in 2015-16.
“I faced a range of challenges in establishing the students’ association from scratch,” Ygandran explains. “With no established procedures or guidelines to follow, we had to create a cohesive mission and develop innovative strategies to engage students.” He is proud to have helped to build the foundational structure that has served future student leaders. “Through the experience I learned the importance of resilience, strategic thinking, and collaboration, all of which has assisted me throughout my career,” he comments. As an entrepreneur, Ygandran established a web-app development startup and a private limited company, while working for Sapura Energy he helped to develop its first renewable energy business plan targeting the wind energy market. He currently works as a Lead Package Engineer at Shinfox Far East Company PTE, a leading provider of offshore services to the wind power industry in the Asia-Pacific region.
Naqeeb Zahiedin was HWUMSA President for 2016-17. “One of the key things I learnt through the role is that a good leader doesn’t need to be the smartest person in the room, they simply need to inspire and bring out the best in their peers,” he comments. Naqeeb cites the experience as improving both his leadership and organisational skills. “The experience equipped me with strong communication skills and the ability to navigate diverse environments, which are crucial in both my professional and personal life,” he adds.
During Naqeeb’s tenure, HWUMSA introduced the HWUM Cup and an International Day. “These events were about fostering a sense of belonging among students,” Naqeeb explains. “The HWUM Cup supports the development of new leaders and encourages interaction across University departments; while the International Day promotes cultural understanding and appreciation by allowing students to learn about and embrace the diverse backgrounds of their peers.” Naqeeb, who studied engineering, is currently working at Astro, Malaysia's leading content and entertainment company, in product, go-to-market (GTM) and third party patching app management.
Attendees of the alumni event gather on the steps of the campus.
I am so proud that we have over 8,000 alumni located here in Malaysia.”
Professor Mushtak Al-Atabi
Nicholas Chong, who studied Actuarial Science, feels his time as HWUMSA President was one of the best learning experiences he had. “It built my confidence and honed my leadership and stakeholder management skills, all of which are invaluable in my current line of work,” he comments. Nicholas went on to work for the Securities Commission Malaysia, and has since forged a career in the capital market sector. He currently heads one of the business units at Pitch Platforms Sdn Bhd, which operates an equity crowdfunding platform for companies to raise funding from the public.
The Student Association was still at a relatively early stage when he became Student President. “It was a brilliant experience working with my team, the societies, student representatives and staff to build it further,” Nicholas comments. “When the University set up an Independent Election Committee – led by students and alumni to govern the student body elections – it was the first of its kind in Malaysia. I was delighted to help shape this.”
Thanking the past and present Student Presidents for their insights at the celebration event, Professor Mushtak Al-Atabi, Provost and CEO at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia, talked about the inspirational community created by its alumni: “I am so proud that we have over 8,000 alumni located here in Malaysia. It is a community that is diverse, inclusive, and global, working together across boundaries and cultures to deliver benefits for all of society.”
A new Wall of Fame to honour past and current Student Presidents and their teams was unveiled at the Malaysia campus as part of the celebration event. “Every President, and their team, has brought something new to the table,” comments Pearlyn. “By fostering a culture of appreciation, we ensure their legacy benefits future generations and keeps the spirit of leadership alive. I feel very lucky that, as the newest President, I get to enjoy all the benefits and advancements built by my predecessors.”
Members of HWUMSA.
Student Presidents strive to build strong and vibrant communities, and to leave behind a lasting legacy.”
Pearlyn Tee Pei Lin
Join in and help enhance the student experience
To find out how you can support students through volunteering, please visit our website.
You can also find out more about Heriot-Watt University Malaysia and HWUMSA.
