World-leading education content provider Pearson identified eight instrumental skills for modern education that reflect the demands of a competitive and ever-changing 21st century. These are: Leadership, Digital Literacy, Communication, Emotional Intelligence, Entrepreneurship, Global Citizenship, Problem-solving and Team-working.

As part of the world's first mechanics institute, Heriot-Watt University Malaysia is no stranger to pioneering the global educational landscape. One endeavour is the university's Positive Education approach, which was introduced in 2017.

According to a report by the World Government Summit, Positive Education can be defined as "the approach to education that blends academic learning with character and wellbeing"; the report goes on to explain that Positive Education endows students with life skills including grit, optimism, a growth mindset, engagement and mindfulness.

"Positive Education does not only focus on academic excellence but also the holistic development of individuals," elaborated Professor Mushtak Al-Atabi, the Provost and Chief Executive Officer of Heriot-Watt University Malaysia. "Through Positive Education, we are nurturing purposeful, impactful, professional and resilient individuals."  

In a bid to arm the younger generation with the critical skills to succeed in their future, the university has initiated several programmes based on the Positive Education approach. One of them is its "A Happier U" campaign, which aims to inspire everyone to contribute to a happier world and learn how to be resilient. Under this campaign, a host of fun-filled activities are organised regularly to facilitate the happiness and wellbeing of the university's staff and students.

Recognising that a happier student equals better accomplishments, Heriot-Watt University Malaysia's acclaimed Youth Transformation Programme (YTP), which is targeted at SPM, IGCSE or equivalent school leavers, provides the skills needed for a smoother transition from secondary school to higher learning and beyond.

"Based on positive education practices and the emotional intelligence competency framework by Daniel Goleman, YTP aims to grow every student to their fullest potential with activities designed to take them out of their comfort zones and at the same time develop a strong and positive mindset," said Associate Professor Dr Jasmine Low, the Head of Malaysia Foundation Programme at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia.

Specially designed workshops help develop students' self-awareness, self-management, social awareness and relationship management. Among others, students are taught to "re-wire their brains", and encouraged to remove the word "problem" from their vocabulary and replace it with the word "opportunity". Other activities conducted develop the students' interpersonal skills and self-confidence, team dynamics, creativity and innovation skills.  Students also attend talks by industry practitioners who share insights on future job opportunities and are guided to develop their own personal SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Timely) Goals to instil a strong sense of purpose.

Elysia Goh, a former YTP participant who is currently pursuing her MA (Hons) Business Finance at the university, revealed that the programme helped her get ready for university life. "I learned how to set SMART goals and achieve them. I also improved my social and collaboration skills. The programme made it easier for me to adjust to the independence and responsibility of a university student," she said.

In line with its effort to continue future-proofing its graduates, Heriot-Watt University Malaysia has also introduced its EmPOWER programme, a four-level structured programme aimed at equipping graduates with every necessary skill, unleashing their potential and preparing them to stand out and have an impact in a highly uncertain world. The first level, which is compulsory for all Heriot-Watt University Malaysia students, encompasses Leading Self; this is followed by Leading Teams, Leading Communities and, finally, Leading Enterprise.

Through the programme, each student is taught a combination of positive emotions, resilience and a sense of meaning by working on a larger goal, as well as eventually developing their Impact Statements. A clearly defined approach is offered to help them break down their statements into "IMPACT": I=Intention (What are your highest intentions and goals?); M=Measureable (How do you measure your intentions and goals?); P=People (Who plays an important role, and how?); A=Achievable (Is your intention or goal achievable?); C=Challenges (What are some challenges?); and T=Timeline (When do you want to start taking action, and how frequently?).

"EmPOWER allows our students to embark on a personalised learning journey according to their own strengths and interests and, along the way, build the necessary skills to enhance their employability," elaborated Professor Mushtak.

These students can accumulate "kilo-Watt" points from being a member of an interdisciplinary team working on a small project, "Mega-Watt" points from participating in and winning at (inter)national competitions and "Giga-Watt" points when they manage to start and run an enterprise. By graduation, Heriot-Watt students are not only job-ready but some of them may even become job providers.

"H.G. Wells once said that 'Civilization is in a race between education and catastrophe.' Focusing on Positive Education, I am confident that civilisation can win!" concluded Professor Mushtak.

To assist SPM, IGCSE or equivalent school leavers and their families in making the right choices that will enable them to achieve their full potential, ensure their future success and enjoy a happy and balanced life, Professor Mushtak will be holding a talk entitled "Today's Choices, Tomorrow's Successes: Watt's Next After SPM?" at 10:30am on 23 March 2019. The event is free of charge, but seating is limited. Visit https://wattnext.eventbrite.com to register for the event.  

Discover more about Heriot-Watt University Malaysia's EmPOWER programme at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Di4bmaZkK_U. To find out more about the university's academic programmes or scholarships on offer, visit its Open Days on 23 & 24 March 2019, or during consultation hours from 9am to 5pm on Mondays to Fridays, and 10am to 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays. From now until 27 March 2019, parents and students are also invited to coffee sessions at the campus from 1pm to 4pm on Wednesdays to speak to academics and counsellors while immersing themselves in campus life. Alternatively, log on to www.hw.edu.my or call +603 8894 3888/e-mail [email protected].