Principal’s introduction
Dear alumni, friends and supporters,
This has been a tremendous year for Heriot-Watt as we celebrate 50 years since gaining our Royal Charter. I have had the pleasure of meeting many alumni at various events throughout the year and it has been wonderful to learn more about their time at “the Watt” and how their lives have unfolded since graduation. I want to express my sincere thanks for your continued interest in and support of the University.
In a year of celebration, we were particularly proud to be awarded the prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize for outstanding research, delivered by the Institute of Petroleum Engineering, now part of the School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society – a fitting tribute, as the Institute celebrates 40 years since its foundation.
Our University has changed significantly over the past 50 years, growing from our presence in Chambers Street, Edinburgh to five global campuses in Scotland, Dubai and Malaysia. In total, we have more than 30,000 students from more than 150 countries and we are one of the world’s leading universities, with strong links to international business and industry.
Our Dubai campus, now in its eleventh year and with almost 4,000 students, is firmly established as a successful model of transnational education. Four years ago, we added to our international presence when we launched our first programmes in Malaysia and in 2014 opened a purpose-built campus in Putrajaya following an investment of £35 million. With over 1,300 students, we have tremendous opportunities to grow and develop our activities in Malaysia.
Heriot-Watt University
www.alumni.hw.ac.uk
Two new facilities, based on important partnerships, have been formally opened at our Edinburgh campus. The Sir Charles Lyell Centre, a £17 million research centre for earth and marine science and technology, will enable Heriot-Watt and the British Geological Survey to join forces and tackle major issues of natural resource and energy supply in a responsible and sustainable way. Oriam – Scotland’s new £33 million Sports Performance Centre, built in partnership with the Scottish Government, sportscotland and the City of Edinburgh Council – provides a facility for Scotland’s national teams and performance sports professionals and our students, staff and the wider community, offering state-of- the-art equipment and an inspiring environment to train and play sport in.
Our global reach makes Heriot-Watt truly distinctive and we are keen to play to these strengths and continue to make a significant contribution to local, national and international communities. Initiatives such as “Go Global” are enabling students to spend part of their studies in Scotland, Dubai and Malaysia – helping to broaden both minds and horizons, instilling cultural awareness and understanding, as well as developing much valued skills and knowledge. It is a fantastic initiative, which makes full use of our globally integrated University.
Plans are unfolding for new globally- positioned research, which will pull together our expertise in order to meet societal challenges in areas such as energy, climate change, water, food and health. Our vision is to inspire and empower the next generation of engineers, scientists and social scientists and build the global coalitions to re-imagine how we can meet these challenges to deliver resilient, sustainable and harmonious communities.
As alumni, you are part of a growing, globally connected university with a proud heritage. I look forward to meeting many of you in the months and years ahead and to connecting you further with our future priorities and initiatives.
Professor Richard A. Williams OBE, FREng, FTSE
Principal and Vice-Chancellor
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