HWUM’s flexible options to ensure continuity
THE Coronavirus pandemic has disrupted our education system in many ways; with the closure of international borders, many students are left in limbo on whether to opt or decline offers from universities here and abroad.
There are also some students whose final year of secondary school studies was disrupted, which led to them doubting their capabilities and the confidence to pursue tertiary education.
At the same time, cost is a huge factor for parents looking to invest in higher education during this challenging time.
In response to the current environment, Heriot-Watt UniversityMalaysia (HWUM) has taken proactive measures to enable the continuity of quality education to both its local and global students through its April 2021 Foundation Flexible programme.
The flexible solutions offered by the Future Made University provides students with a flexible and worry-free commencement for their Foundation studies in April, enabling progression towards their undergraduate studies.
These are the Flexible Entry; Flexible Fee Payment; Flexible Restart; Flexible Study Plan; Flexible Studying by Responding to the Current Environment; Flexible Location of Study; and Flexible Commencement.
With flexibility in entry requirements, students can share their forecast results from their respective schools to kickstart their academic journey. However, their actual results must meet the University’s entry requirements to convert the conditional offer letter to an unconditional one.
The University has created a flexible fee plan to support parents with their children’s education.
These payment options include enabling parents to pay the full tuition fees in six instalments or opt to pay full first semester fees, which entitles them to an Early Bird Waiver while it is available.
To further provide worry free commencement, HWUM is also offering a 70 per cent refund of tuition fees should students decide to withdraw by5th July 2021 of their studies (applicable to students in the April intake).
HWUM is providing a riskfree study option to those who join their April intake as part of efforts to help students identify their purpose and passion.
Students who choose to commence in the University’s April intake have the option to ‘restart’ their academic pursuits in the July intake at no cost if they wish to change their programme.
The continuity of quality education to both its local and global students is supported by HWUM’smixed methods of teaching via its renowned Responsive Blended Learning (RBL).
The University’s RBL combines active, supported online learning with contextually face-to-face learning opportunities, responding dynamically to changing external context.
It provides support in a way that is academically appropriate and practically delivered; ensuring students can actively participate in their course learning, wherever they begin their studies.
Engagements at a distance are facilitated through provision of resources, live online sessions, tutorials, discussion forums, collaborating on projects, sharing of insights from practical work, and other appropriate activities.
When campus spaces become accessible, appropriate use of these spaces are made through the priority opening of specialist learning centres such as labs and studios, with an initial focus on small group interactions.
Heriot-Watt University offers high-quality British education with a global outlook across all campuses in United Kingdom, Dubai and Malaysia that adhere to the same quality standards of education.
As part of the University’s Go Global programme, students can keep their study abroad options open.
Through this programme, students are given the option to transfer to any of its global campuses once travel restrictions are lifted or complete their studies fully in Malaysia, providing the programme and study is available at the respective campuses.
This can be done in flexible modes of 1+3 years, 2+2 years, 3+1 years, 4+0 yearsor 2+1+1 years.
In line with the University’s commitment to future-proof students and to help secondary students get accustomed to university life, the Fit-ForFuture programme which utilises their digital foundation platform, is designed to unleash the full potential of students at the Foundation level. The programme supports students by helping them set realistic SMART goals through impactful activities that will help them with their positive transformation.
HWUM’s Head of the Malaysia Foundation Programme, Associate Professor Jasmine Low, says: “We understand that students are starting their university life under unprecedented circumstances. The Fit-forFuture Programme prepares students to start their academic journey with us on a positive footing while our Digital Foundation Programme delivery approach engages students in an innovative challenge-based learning pedagogy. However, we realised that sometimes things may not go as planned, thus our Flexible Foundation options enable students to restart their first semester of studies with no additional costs or delay to the progression to their undergraduate programmes.”
HWUM Foundation student, Darren Lim says that the Fitfor-Future Programme and Foundation programme are steppingstones towards his academic journey, “The Fit-forFuture Programme is an exciting programme which equipped me with the skills I needed to further excel in my studies. I also applied for the Foundation programme right away as I wanted to get a head start while waiting for the July or September Foundation intakes. I choose to study the Foundation programme at Heriot-Watt because I was attracted to its quality of education.”
The pathway to the University’s undergraduate programme begins with a Foundation in Science or Foundation in Business depending on the student’s interest or previous field of study.
Within the Foundation in Business, they can choose either the Accounting and Business, Psychology or Actuarial Science route.
The University’s Foundation programme are designed to prepare and equip students with the skill sets that will smoothen their transition into their undergraduate studies.
Students can apply for the April intake to pursue their Foundation studies. The Fit-for-Future Programme will commence on 19 April, while classes start on 26 April.
Visit our Putrajaya lakeside campus, speak to our Education Consultants and academics and chat with our students to learn more about the exciting study opportunities and scholarships offered at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia during our Open Day for our April Intake on 17 and 18 April 2021.
For more information on HeriotWatt University, visit https://www. hw.ac.uk/malaysia/