Heriot-Watt University: HWUM welcomes new Associate Head, School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences

Heriot-Watt University Malaysia (HWUM) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Ian Tan as its Associate Head, School for Mathematical and Computer Sciences (MACS), beginning 1 November 2021.

Dr Ian Tan, an Associate Professor in Computer Science, brings with him a wealth of experience in both academia and in the technology industry. Prior to joining academia, he worked in various roles that provided him with a wide perspective of the technology industry; from microprocessor manufacturing, enterprise servers, storage solutions, software development, to telecommunications systems.

After more than a decade in the industry, he joined academia in 2006. In addition to teaching and research, he also served in various roles including as Head of Commercialisation at MMU Cnergy, Secretary of the Data Science Institute, and Industry Engagement Coordinator. Dr Ian Tan remains closely connected with the industry through his role as the School Industry Engagement Coordinator for Monash University Malaysia

On his appointment, Dr Ian Tan said: “I am honoured to join Heriot-Watt University Malaysia and be a part of a global university with its 200 years of Scottish Heritage. Heriot-Watt University was one of the first Universities in the UK to offer undergraduate degree programmes in Computing and today it provides outstanding education in Computer Science, Computer Systems, Software Engineering and Information Systems in UK, Dubai and now Malaysia. I look forward to lend my expertise and deliver world class, purpose-led education and creating strong industry-academia nexus through my strong industry links.”

Dr Ian Tan holds a Ph.D. (I.T) from Multimedia University, an M.Sc. (Parallel Computers and Computation) from University of Warwick, and a B.Eng. A.C.G.I. (Information Systems Engineering) from Imperial College London.

Starting on 1 November, Dr Ian Tan will be leading the School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences which, beside computing, is also the academic home for its near 550 actuarial and data science students. The Actuarial Science programme is renowned globally and is fully accredited by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, UK.