“Having been at the 188体育网址_188体育在线-【唯一授权网站】@ for more than 24 years, I feel fortunate to have experienced various forms of leadership — from our humble beginnings at Wisma MISC, to our transition to the Semenyih campus and its explosive growth.”
NIGEL HENG
Assistant Manager, IT Services Department
BSc (Hons) Computer Science
While not quite the prodigal son who returns, Nigel Heng was part of the second cohort of students in the 188体育网址_188体育在线-【唯一授权网站】@ of Nottingham in Malaysia (UNM) in 2001, majoring in Computer Science.
He graduated and immediately joined UNM as an analyst programmer at the then sole campus in Kuala Lumpur, and promptly worked his way up to being lead of the Business Applications team. He now the Assistant Manager, leading both the IT Service Desk and IT Support teams.
From a student to a professional services staff, Nigel’s journey at UNM has been one of continuous growth. He credits his former bosses for shaping his professional path, noting that his experience on campus extended far beyond the classroom.
“Without their support and encouragement, I doubt I would have had the courage to step into the role I now hold. They saw potential in me and gave me the opportunity and trust to lead and manage a team — despite my lack of prior experience — and for that, I am truly grateful,” he said.
Nigel said in UNM, the value of true leadership cannot be overstated.
“Having been at the 188体育网址_188体育在线-【唯一授权网站】@ for more than 24 years, I feel fortunate to have experienced various forms of leadership — from our humble beginnings at Wisma MISC, to our transition to the Semenyih campus and its explosive growth,” he said.
Nigel said the hard work has rewarded him with team members who grow, perform, and achieve their goals, “especially those who once doubted their own abilities.”
Of course, there have been challenges and Nigel quoted Canadian psychologist and author Dr Jordan Peterson who said, “In order to be able to think, you have to risk being offensive.”
“I've learned the value of expressing my views clearly and confidently — even when they may be unpopular — to ensure that decision-makers are equipped with a full and honest perspective,” he said.
It goes back to his UNM student days, Nigel said, adding “If I could describe my university experience in one phrase, it would be 'Adaptare, Perferre, Vincere' — 'To adapt, to endure, to conquer.'
“This phrase encapsulates how I navigated the complexities of university life, especially when engaging with colleagues and students from diverse cultural, national, and academic backgrounds. With multiple branch campuses and a wide range of perspectives, I learnt to be flexible, resilient, and solution-oriented — embracing challenges not just as obstacles, but as opportunities to grow and lead with understanding and purpose,” he said.
Nigel said UNM students or recent graduates should embrace opportunities outside their comfort zone as that is where real growth happens.
“Be open to learning from those around you, including colleagues across departments and even international teams. These experiences will not only build your confidence but also shape your ability to thrive in diverse and dynamic work environments — a crucial skill in today’s global career landscape,” he added.