Nicholas Chong

Year graduated: 2018
Current Profession: Head of Token Crowdfunding (TCF) at Pitch Platforms Sdn Bhd
LinkedIn profile

How was your experience while studying here at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia?

I had a great experience studying at the university. What I liked most about the university is that it empowers its students to grow and achieve their greatest potential. This is reflected across the entire university, from its staff to its culture to its curriculum.

Now that you are in the workforce, how did the programme of study help you?

My experience as the President of the Student Association was one of the best learning experiences I have had before entering the workforce.

The student association is empowered and supported by the university, more so than the other student councils and associations at other universities. For example, the association is empowered to be part of the university's governance committees (e.g., Senate, Learning and Teaching Committee, and Academic Council.) to influence consequential decisions relating to the students.

Being part of the Student Association has helped build my confidence and stakeholder management skills, which are invaluable to me in my current line of work.

Your opinion on Actuarial Science and its demand in the market today?

Fundamentally, actuarial science is about quantifying risks. The skill sets learned in the programme are transferable to many jobs in the market.

I am a good case in point. Although I did not pursue an actuarial career, the skills I have picked up during my studies (i.e., data acumen, problem solving, and computing skills) helped me start and build a career in the capital market. 

Studying at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia was transformative. The university's emphasis on empowerment allowed me to grow personally and professionally. Serving as President of the Student Association honed my leadership and stakeholder management skills. While my focus was Actuarial Science, the programme's emphasis on risk quantification equipped me with valuable skills applicable across industries. Despite not pursuing an actuarial career, these skills propelled me into a successful journey in the capital market. Heriot-Watt's holistic approach to education prepared me for the challenges of the workforce, and I'm grateful for the foundation it provided me.