Over the weekend I was able to take my first visit to the new campus in Dubai, located in Knowledge Park alongside many other business and corporates in the digital sector and adjacent to the well-known ‘The Palm’ island landmark. It was inspirational for many reasons. Firstly, it has been a major change project that has progressed magnificently despite COVID due to the leadership, ingenuity, and sheer teamwork of staff across the University. Secondly, the end result is magnificent and clearly greatly valued by staff and students there. The accessible spaces and variety of learning environments are highly distinctive and flexible. I understand better the notion of a digital campus – as the systems, phones, workplaces and IT connect to every person across the building providing great flexibility in using space. Internally, the texture and moods of the building are varied and also provide a range of social and refreshment places for staff and for students. I was grateful for the opportunity to meet many staff and students and to meet the Student Council Team and hangouts for the students. You can gain a taste of the welcome and facilities through this short video. My sincere thanks to those who made me so welcome.
Recruitment into Dubai has been the highest ever achieved this year, a testament to the hard work of everyone in Dubai and the co-working teams across the whole University. This year, around 30 Scotland-based students have chosen to spend a semester or more in Dubai and it is good to see the appetite for cross-cultural education return. Over 120 students from Malaysia are also spending a semester or more in Scotland.
During my three days in UAE I was also able to meet key partners in the educational authorities in Dubai and Abu Dhabi to discuss future trends and opportunity for collaboration in education and research. This is an exciting week as today (Friday) sees the opening of Expo2020. For the next six months the EXPO site with its 190 nation buildings is expected to welcome over 10 million visitors (this being a post pandemic estimate) and a myriad of events. As you may have heard from the recent All Staff Executive Briefing, we will be playing our part as a lead sponsor in the UK Pavilion and working with the Scottish Government – showcasing our research in robotics, marine science and industrial decarbonisation and also hosting a Future of Education Conference. We have also partnered with the Red Arrows who, apart from flying over the campus, will be visiting en masse (and by road) to speak with our students and prospective students as part of Engineer for a Day campaign. You can keep up to date with our involvement in Expo2020 on our website.
Professor Richard A. Williams
Principal and Vice-Chancellor