SCOTLAND'S SECRETARY OF STATE IAN MURRAY VISITS HERIOT-WATT UNIVERSITY MALAYSIA

By Thivyamalini Ramalu

PUTRAJAYA, Dec 2 (Bernama) -- Heriot-Watt University Malaysia was honoured to host the Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray during his inaugural visit to Malaysia.

The visit to the university’s sustainable campus in Putrajaya on November 28, marked an important milestone in strengthening ties between Scotland and Malaysia and coincided with the launch of the Brand Scotland initiative in Malaysia and Singapore.

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Accompanied by Acting High Commissioner at the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur David Wallace, Murray was welcomed by Provost and Chief Executive Officer of Heriot-Watt University Malaysia Professor Mushtak Al-Atabi, alongside members of the university’s leadership team and the British High Commission.

A highlight of the visit was an engaging discussion with Murray, moderated by Heriot-Watt University Malaysia Student Association president Pearlyn Tan.

The Brand Scotland initiative and The GoGlobal programme (an inter-campus transfer programme available only for Heriot-Watt students) were among the discussion topics.

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The visit also included an exclusive interview with Bernama, which touched on the collaboration between Malaysia and Scotland in various fields.

In the interview, Murray emphasised the significant potential for strengthening bilateral relations through collaboration in sectors such as green technology, research and development which would benefit both nations.

Commenting on opportunities between both countries, he said Scotland and Malaysia are exploring opportunities for collaboration in the green technology sector, aligning with the global push toward a sustainable and clean energy future.

Murray said fostering innovation through international partnerships will be key to both nations’ success in the global green energy race.

“Green technologies are one of the big worldwide opportunities. The new United Kingdom (UK) Labour government has one of its missions to get to clean power by 2030. We know there's a global race on to get to being an energy superpower and of course we all want to be part of that.

“But if we want to win that race, we can only do so by working in partnership with other countries in terms of innovation, research and development, inward investment, and leveraging those opportunities worldwide,” he said.

A clean energy future is a future where the world’s energy production shifts away from fossil fuels and other non-renewable sources to cleaner, renewable sources. This shift is necessary to limit global warming and the effects of climate change.

Murray said skills in oil and gas, which are abundant in both nations, can be repurposed for the green energy transition.

“...so having that technology transfer is important. And that knowledge base is huge. Our oil and gas skills are shared between both countries, and those oil and gas skills will be able to help us develop our offshore wind and renewable industry,” he said.

Asked on the key areas to expand trade between Malaysia and Scotland, the Scottish politician highlighted the strategic importance of ‘Brand Scotland’ in forging deeper connections, particularly in countries like Malaysia, where the nations share a long-standing historical relationship.

Elaborating further, he said these initiatives aim to create more meaningful, mutually beneficial alliances through research, innovation, and knowledge transfer in addition to increasing commerce.

“One of the key things the new government of the UK want to do is to expand our trading footprint across the world. And from a Scotland Office perspective, as Secretary of State for Scotland, one of our key objectives is Brand Scotland.

“So wherever you go in the world, Scotland has a unique place and particularly in the history of places like Malaysia and we want to use that to be able to expand those relationships, develop those relationships that have a  long history and look at the opportunities in the future,” he emphasised.

Meanwhile, Mushtak said the university is delighted to welcome Murray to the Malaysia campus, where it provides students with a world-class, international learning experience.

“At Heriot-Watt, we pride ourselves on delivering not only a high-quality British education but also on nurturing purpose-driven leaders equipped to shape the future.

“The visit by the Secretary of State for Scotland underscores the vital role education plays in bridging cultures and empowering future generations to lead with purpose. Heriot-Watt University Malaysia is a shining example of how global partnerships in education can prepare future leaders to tackle the world’s greatest challenges,” he added.

-- BERNAMA