KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s retired squash queen, Datuk Nicol Ann David, is excited to be given the opportunity to become the pro chancellor of Heriot-Watt University, succeeding Professor Tan Sri Dr Jemilah Mahmood in this prestigious position.
This marks a new chapter for Nicol, who believes her appointment will open the doors for other former athletes to actively participate in the field of education in Malaysia.
As a pro chancellor, Nicol will serve as the honorary head of the University in Malaysia, representing Heriot-Watt University Malaysia in ceremonial and ambassadorial capacities, including conferring degrees to graduates.
Following her installation today at Putrajaya, Nicol conferred degrees to graduates from the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, as well as the School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences at the degree awarding ceremony.
Coincidentally, Nicol revealed that she won her first Scottish Open Junior Championship at the age of 12, held at a hall at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland.
“I believe that Heriot-Watt University is really pushing the matter that sport is the unifying factor of everything.
“It builds values, and that’s what they want to instil in their students, and bringing me in as pro chancellor, it’s just a testament to what they believe in sport and how that can be so powerful in transforming students’ lives and also bringing the education front as well.
“So that will open doors to so many other athletes to realise that they can be leaders in their own right and to be approached by different universities and having seen this, that there is a possibility that you can be a pro chancellor, you can lead a university, other athletes will follow suit.
“So I hope that more athletes will see this as a bigger opportunity for them after their career and to contribute to students to build their values and strive for further in their life, more purpose-driven education,” said Nicol.
This installation is certainly a boost for Nicol as she will accompany the rest of the Malaysian contingent ahead of the Paris Olympics as Deputy Chef de Mission, which will be the first Olympic experience in her career. – July 14, 2024