This is an unprecedented time of uncertainty, and I will be sharing more with you in coming weeks about the specific challenges we are facing as an institution. As we enter another three weeks of lockdown in the UK, our primary objective remains the health and safety of our students, staff and families and our wider community, partners and stakeholders. I want to thank you all for the terrific response we have made, and I love the way we are using #OneWatt to represent our flourishing community.

I have been having many meetings with colleagues, Court members, other University leaders and Ministers and officials from governments. There is an enormous effort going on across the University to re-forecast our finances, to submit urgent research proposals and to make important decisions about the new academic year. We are also putting in place extra support for our remaining students who will begin undertaking assessments from April 27. Thank you to everyone who is contributing to this effort.

During times of challenge it is important to look for signs of hope, and I feel fortunate to see so much of it in our collective response to this virus across our global network. One example is the joyous performance of our Graduate Choir who have created a wonderful and uplifting online video. I hope many of you will share it with your friends on social media. I have said before that I believe our University values to Inspire, Belong, Collaborate and Celebrate give us the strong foundation we need and I want to share a few of the other examples of our values in action I’ve heard about in recent days.

In Edinburgh our biomedical engineers have begun production of personal protective kit suitable for use by health and care workers using the specialist 3D printers and laser cutting tools we have in our facilities on campus. They have already created enough face shields to supply our SafeGuarding team on campus and they are now making kit for the wider community.  In Galashiels we’re also responding to needs in collaboration with NHS and Scottish Borders Council in planning the production of textile related supplies which should begin next week.  And in Orkney, staff and students at our campus have helped a local community cinema go online to keep people entertained through the lockdown.

At the Dubai Campus, engineers and technicians are also collaborating with medical professionals to design personal protective equipment using CO2 Laser cutting, which they hope will be approved for manufacture by the Dubai Health Authority. Our alumni are also supporting the UAE community, with graduate and creative director Nesrine El Hassan having designed a washable facemask, which is generating donations to hospitals for each one sold.

And in Malaysia, it has been heartening to see the many inspirational examples of positivity displayed by staff and students throughout this outbreak. This has been evident on social media, and also in the behaviour of student groups who have found new ways to support each other online. I am also delighted the University’s first Global Challenges Research Fund grant has been awarded to Dr Sarat Chandra Dass to model the impacts of Covid-19 spread. This is important work which will help inform the government in Malaysia on suitable strategies for controlled lifting of restrictions.

I know many of you are doing your own bit to help in volunteering to provide support to others, like Dr Karina Salek from the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences. She has been sewing face masks which are being distributed by the British Association of Social Workers to social work staff who need them. There are too many to mention here but I would like to ensure everyone’s contribution and effort are recognised. Please do let me know, and I would like to encourage you to nominate those who are truly living the University values for a Values Award so we can celebrate their achievement. 

Thank you all.

Richard A. Williams
Principal and Vice-Chancellor