It has been an odd period in acclimatising to working from my University office. Apart from the challenge of finding the right shoes, comforting pets and packing lunch boxes, the change in cycle took a few days to adapt to. Here on the campus in Edinburgh, there has been a spectacular sense of peacefulness and summer setting and now there is a big buzz about the place – not least seeing the activities apace in the incredible Oriam and the summer-café culture outside the Marriott hotel on The Avenue. I think many people across the whole University have been, or are, sharing these experiences as our physical connections develop across most campuses, barring Putrajaya where on-site access is not possible.
The jewel in all this is seeing colleagues and familiar faces after so long. It is lovely to see people again and for quite a few people, to meet colleagues in person for the first time. For some having an office for the first time.
Some of the things that struck me in past days are the vibrancy of the campus and the loch with our swans and signets and summer flowers. Last week I had the chance to talk with the Chancellor sitting by the loch as we thought through some activities around the bicentenary and the winter graduations.
Yesterday it was such a privilege to be able to say congratulations in person to some of the winners of the PRIME Awards as we gathered outside GRID. These awards acknowledge excellence and personal commitment in public engagement. Every one of our winners has a fantastic story to tell about Heriot-Watt research and education and its real impact on our wider community.
There is fresh change all around. I was delighted to see the new white e-vans running around the campus which, incidentally, were featured in the UK press this week. Our trial of wirelessly charged electric vans has begun in Edinburgh, in what is understood to be a world-first for the technology. Thanks to Prof Greening and the team in SOSS, with Visiting Professor Peters and partners Flexible Power Systems, four modified Vauxhall electric vans will complete daily duties for Heriot-Watt University and The City of Edinburgh Council. When their batteries run down, instead of being plugged in, the vehicles will be parked over an electric pad and be “topped up in under an hour”. Wireless charging of vans has huge implications for the grocery sector and could even revolutionise the home delivery landscape.
Soon we will have the chance to enjoy our social facilities on campus, for example, with the re-opening of the Bistro in the Edinburgh Business School building – we can look forward to touches of luxury and spoiling – the new menu will start up on 6th September and develop further as the term progress, so do pay a visit.
I am looking forward to seeing colleagues and changes across all our locations in the coming months. I hope that despite the obvious uncertainties, as we step through the next few weeks and months, you too will relish being back and enjoying the special collegiate working that characterises our Heriot-Watt.
Professor Richard A. Williams
Principal and Vice-Chancellor