Malaysia

Empower Programme

A future-ready graduate is one with authentic leadership who will go on to make a positive impact in the world. Our EmPOWER programme engages students in advanced self-driven developmental activities enabling them to achieve their full potential.

EmPOWER Programme

EmPOWER is an innovative programme that encourages its students to hone their soft skills. It is a four-level structured programme that is aimed at future-proofing graduates, to unleash their potential and to prepare them to stand out and have an impact in a highly uncertain world.

Empower infographic showing six developmental domains using icons

Leadership Development

Four levels of leadership development are available to students throughout their studies at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia. The overall objective is to develop students' leadership through experiential learning in six focused domains. Students can develop competencies in Leading Self, Leading Teams, Leading Communities, and Leading Enterprises.

Points at each level are awarded according to the nature of leadership training undertaken or complexity of skills demonstrated. These points are accumulated for achievements made at any of the four levels.

This can be done concurrently, no need to complete one level before moving to the next! An EmPOWER record of achievement and an EmPOWER certificate will be issued on completion of each level. These can help our students stand out from the crowd in today's competitive job market.

Four structured levels of EmPOWER Programme

Watt level is structured and compulsory for all Year 1 students, while subsequent levels are self-directed and optional, but strongly encouraged. Student support is available through EmPOWER champions within each School and the programme is managed by a team of staff, including one lead for each of the six domains.

Leading Self (Watt level)

This year-1 Watt level is delivered via experiential learning and assessed through a structured credit bearing-course called “Self-empowerment and Social Responsibility”.

Leading Teams (Kilowatt level)

The Kilowatt level is all about teamworking and inter-personal skills. Heriot-Watt University Malaysia offers numerous opportunities to turn a sense of purpose into action and impact.

Leading Communities (Megawatt level)

The Megawatt level takes things up a notch by engaging in activities that have a positive impact on the community, whether it's the university community or a local community in Malaysia or elsewhere.

Leading Enterprises (Gigawatt level)

Leading Enterprises represents the top level. It focuses on employability, creativity and innovation.

Becoming EmPOWERed

The university also manages an EmPOWER fund to which students can apply for financial support for worthy EmPOWER projects. Be inspired by what our students have achieved!

MaGIC Winners - Bio-Sekitar Enterprise

Bio-Sekitar Enterprise, an EmPOWER-funded, student-led project, secured 4th place in the Judges' Selection Award (Social Innovation Track) and 3rd place in the Public Voting Award (Social Innovation Track) at the MaGIC University Startup Challenge 2020.

Redefining Your Future (READ) Project

This is a 2019/2020 EmPOWER Funded project: Conducting workshops for children to catch up with their studies no matter of their capabilities and to enhance their self-confidence, soft skills and communication skills.

Save Our Penyu

The Save Our Penyu team members' personal Impact Statements were collectively realised at the EmPOWER Watt Level through their group's Digital Community Service Project, “Save Our Penyu”

Student testimonials

Former students give their impressions of the EmPOWER programme.

Maisarah Khairil Mubin

I feel privileged to have been part of the inaugural group of students in the EmPOWER programme, which was launched in early 2019.

Darmes Ganesan

The EmPOWER Programme has proven to be an invaluable asset in navigating this transition. Engaging in a myriad of events and activities alongside my engineering cohort has facilitated meaningful interactions and connections with some of the brightest minds

Ooi (Jack) Teng Hao

One of the key features of the EmPOWER Programme is its ability to enable me in defining my purpose and directing it towards my actions. Having a background in engineering, aligning my actions with the programme significantly.

NGO / Employer Testimonials

NGOs and Employers give their impressions of the EmPOWER programme.

Datuk Nicol David

The EmPOWER programme has raised funds for the Nicol David Organisation to support in the execution of our Little Legends programme. The funds will enable NDO to provide Squash and English lessons to the benefited children.

Kudzai Charlton

Fugee Org exists to foster and expand refugee education and access to it. Thanks to the EmPOWER program's contribution and compassionate support, we are able to provide an environment where our students find hope and discover opportunities.

Ainol Yaacob

The EmPOWER Programme enables students to be in charge of charting their developmental needs and becoming intentional lifelong learners and will definitely make Heriot-Watt University graduates both highly employable and future-ready.

Sarah Deverall

I am delighted to see the EmPOWER Programme promoting global citizenship and a comprehensive set of 21st Century skills amongst the students of Heriot-Watt University Malaysia.

Find out more

Find out more about the EmPOWER programme by downloading the EmPOWER Programme Leaflet or see our EmPOWER Handbook.

Find out more

Find out more about the EmPOWER programme by downloading the EmPOWER leaflet and the EmPOWER handbook below:

EmPOWER Leaflet

View or download our EmPOWER Leaflet here for more information.

EmPOWER Handbook

View or download our EmPOWER Handbook here for more information.