Our Bicentennial celebrations have allowed us the privilege of looking back over our 200-year history and to the key milestones and characters that have shaped our University. Do take a look at the online exhibition and other event information on our website. There are several events coming up in October and throughout the rest of our celebratory year, both in-person and virtual. It is an opportunity to take pride in sharing in the work of our predecessors and our personal purpose and commitment to develop the education and skills of students who go on to impact society. What is evident to me is that many of the values that were our foundations 200 years ago remain central to this day, and I’m very proud of the way we continue to create a sense of belonging and community for all our colleagues, students and alumni.

The celebrations start in Edinburgh next week with the opening of the John Thomson exhibition – back in 1870 John Thomson, a graduate of Heriot-Watt, was a pioneering photographer working in Asia. Next week we can view a collection of his work, loaned by the Wellcome Trust, in the James Watt Centre. What an incredible life of exploration he had, in conveying large photographic paraphernalia around China and capturing some of the earliest photographs known of places and people never seen before. Later in October we will have global events including an (online) Global Gathering, a Mechanics Institute Bicentenary Conference (online) and, at campus locations, a HWU200 exhibition. The inauguration of the Chancellor is planned to take place on 15 October, an 1821 fundraising Dinner, and events at St Cecilia’s Hall – where it all began – on 16 and 17 October. Please watch out for details on NewsBeat.

I was fortunate this week to be able to catch up with Dr Victor de Lima, head of our Medical Practice on our Edinburgh campus. At the end of September, Victor is taking partial retirement – after 42 years of working as our local GP and supporting thousands of students, colleagues and our surrounding communities. The decision, as we developed and grew into our Riccarton campus, to move his practice on-site proved to be invaluable. For many of our students, coming to Heriot-Watt in Edinburgh has not just been about studying; it has also been their home, and we have provided the key services essential for their health and wellbeing, including our dedicated medical centre. I’d like to thank Victor for his many years of dedication and professionalism and for contributing so much to nurturing and caring for our community with warmth and compassion. I’m sure you will join me in sending heartfelt best wishes and thanks. But we couldn’t let Victor leave without first sharing his memories and reflections on being part of the Heriot-Watt family.

Thank you to everyone who attended the All Staff Executive Briefing, our first of the new academic year. The recording, slides and questions will all be posted on the Sharepoint site as soon as possible. I’d also like to remind you of the link to the Pensions Update provided by Richard Claughton and Andrew Jefferson on 15 September. This is a very important time for employers and members of the USS alike, and we must take our next steps carefully and from an informed position.

Professor Richard A. Williams
Principal and Vice-Chancellor