Two years ago, I came across students undertaking an exercise together to discuss and articulate their personal impact, and then create a written statement that reflected their personal aspirations. At first, I was, to be frank, slightly sceptical, but as I saw more students and some staff colleagues undertaking this, I was intrigued and also excited about how energised the participants had become. Two years later, I have observed many more who have had a chance to reflect on what motivates them and what impact they might wish to have upon society. To me, this is a real characteristic of a flourishing community – a community of people who have clarity about their purpose. Of course, this is core to our organisational and charitable purpose: to benefit society. Students and staff in Malaysia have pioneered this approach and, following a pilot in the Edinburgh Business School in Edinburgh a year ago, many more Scottish students will be participating this academic year. I therefore thought I had better enjoy this opportunity myself, and it was actually a very affirming process – partly because doing it in a small group was fascinating to learn about other peoples’ aspirations and drivers, but also because I was surprised how relevant it was in focusing down to a purpose that did resonate strongly.
So, you will be thinking: what is my statement? Well, it’s rooted in my background as an engineer, and a mindset that was the theme of my own inaugural lecture back in 2015 – a responsibility to bring joy to the life of others through deployment of engineering, “to bring enjoyment and security of life to others by creating a globally sustainable society.” “I am a driver of change. My purpose is to bring enjoyment and security of life to others by creating a globally sustainable society.” I have incorporated this thinking into my own upcoming Personal Development Review, as I see it is imperative for us to build a more sustainable society and to do this faster – and though there are many pathways to do this, we need to take the right ones. But just as critical is to do this in an equitable manner that respects the needs of the global society, not driven from a single nationalist or unethical activist perspective. Heriot-Watt University is so well placed to do this, in my view – and ahead, our emerging sustainability and environmental strategy, and its final agreement in our bicentennial year in 2021, will be an important landmark in our institution’s history
I know of several other colleagues who are also taking this journey to enhance their personal impact as part of our learning community. You might like to hear some students talking about their experience. If you wish to explore this yourself, do send an email to Professor Mushtak Al-Atabi who is supporting further arrangements to facilitate impact workshops.
Many of us share a common purpose in our choice to work for a charity in education and research, and I hope we can enjoy talking about our personal endeavours and aspirations through our impact statements.
Feel free to ask me about mine.
Professor Richard A. Williams
Principal and Vice-Chancellor