This month, we took a major step forward in our further development of our newest Global Research Institute – the National Robotarium – which builds on our cross-school expertise and partnership with Edinburgh University. Not only are we watching its physical structure emerge on our Edinburgh campus, but we are also seeing the development of the new senior team working with Prof Hastie and Prof Petillot. This week, we announced and welcomed the appointment of the Chief Executive Officer of The National Robotarium – Stewart Miller. Stewart has extensive leadership experience in technology and innovation from both a corporate and governmental background and joins us after a period as CTO of Innovate UK. I very much look forward to working with him as the vision and implementation of the National Robotarium develops rapidly ahead.
The National Robotarium is also attracting a great deal of interest with our politicians – both Scottish and UK – and we are hosting, or arranging to host, a number of visits over the coming weeks. This indicates the significance of the research and people developments that are taking place already, and the future expectations of The National Robotarium that are so integral to both economic and societal advancements.
In my blog last week, I mentioned I was opening the Welcome Fair on the Edinburgh campus. The anticipation was palpable, and the reality did not disappoint. I would like to say thanks once again to everyone involved across our Student and Sports Unions, our societies and student services, for providing such a warm and inclusive welcome to our University to so many students. The whole event was a massive success and reflected the thought that had been put into creating an outstanding occasion. I know I enjoyed speaking to many of our colleagues and students, and our Chancellor, Prof Sir Geoff Palmer, was also on hand to make a splash at both the Brewing and Whisky Society stalls as well as the Equality Bus!
In anticipation of attracting even more people to join our musical collaborations, Steve King, our Director of Music, also launched our Music Cottage 200 Concerts this week. I urge you to take a look at some of the wonderful and diverse performances that our talented One-Watt Community is capable of producing. It is an amazing collection of talent and you will see students, friends, colleagues performing from around the world performing music that is special to them for us to enjoy – such a fitting tribute to our Bicentennial.
Now that the new academic year has started, and we are all adjusting to yet another, slightly different, way of working. The next All Staff Executive Briefing is on Thursday 23 September – I hope many of you are able to join in and take part in the discussions. We are all still finding our feet in terms of getting used to being around greater numbers of people and finding our own ways of adapting to these circumstances. Hearing your thoughts and comments on all of this would be most welcome. The link to the briefing is here and I look forward to discussing how we are all working towards our greater integration.
For colleagues in the USS pension scheme, if you could not attend the session led by Richard Claughton and Andrew Jefferson this week, the recording is now available. This is an important subject and agreement on the way forward to provide a scheme that is both sustainable and fit for purpose is vital.
Professor Richard A. Williams
Principal and Vice-Chancellor