GIVING BACK
Shaping futures:
ensuring future generations will thrive in a safer, healthier, and more sustainable world
At Heriot-Watt, we are deeply engaged in the critical activity that is shaping the future. Our research and innovation across energy transition, climate change and sustainability, global healthcare, AI and robotics, business leadership and more, is helping to address some of the world’s toughest challenges.
Professor Richard A. Williams CBE Principal and Vice-Chancellor
“Shaping the future is central to the purpose of the global Heriot-Watt community,” explains Professor Richard A. Williams, Principal and Vice-Chancellor. “It drives our ambition to be at the forefront of new ideas and provide solutions to meet society’s needs.”
Developing strategic and responsible leaders
For over 200 years, Heriot-Watt has transformed the world through education, becoming a convenor of great minds and a catalyst for positive change. “We are driven by a spirit of hope, curiosity, and the ambition to create human-centred and global solutions to shape a better future,” comments Professor Williams. “As we step into our next era as an institution, we are challenged to advance and accelerate this heritage of transformation and lead with our solutions to the most urgent issues facing our world.”
A campaign for global impact
Throughout its history, whenever Heriot-Watt has looked to expand its impact, it has worked with its friends, partners and alumni to unlock the funding, forge the relationships, and harness the ambition, that enables positive change. Coming together underpins Heriot-Watt’s success.
Shaping Futures is the University’s first comprehensive campaign aimed at raising community awareness and financial support for student access and enrichment initiatives and excellence in research. Launched in October 2024, it is a call to the global community to actively participate in the University’s mission to shape the future.
During Heriot-Watt’s bicentennial celebration season, the work of our staff, the support of our alumni community, and our partnerships with industry and friends achieved over £350 million of investment into research and education opportunities. “From this sure foundation, we are moving forward into the next season of ambition,” explains Ruth O’Hanlon, Campaign Director. “Our aim is to raise over £80 million to build on our distinct strengths and areas of expertise: empowering through education initiatives, driving global sustainability imperatives, transforming healthcare technologies, and innovating with business and industry.”
A call to the global community to actively participate in our mission to shape the future.”
Together, we will shape the future
“It is as a collective communal force that we can ensure Heriot-Watt goes from strength to strength and makes a difference in the world,” comments Paul Stephenson, Head of Development and Alumni. “With the help of our alumni, we will become an even more dynamic force for positive change and a powerful driver of meaningful global impact through Shaping Futures.”
Key alumni are playing a crucial role as advisors and ambassadors on the Shaping Futures Global Council chaired by Professor Dame Heather McGregor, Provost and Vice Principal Heriot-Watt University Dubai. “I invite our global, enlightened alumni community, industry partners, and friends of equal ambition and resonant purpose to join us as we step forward into the Shaping Futures campaign,” comments Professor McGregor. “Together, we will make education more inclusive, mitigate climate change, advance healthcare, and help to transform business and industry so that future generations will benefit from a safer, healthier, and more sustainable world. Together, we will shape the future.”
I invite our global, enlightened alumni community, industry partners, and friends to join us.”
Professor Dame Heather McGregor, Provost and Vice Principal of Heriot-Watt University Dubai
Priority themes to build a safer, healthier, and more sustainable world
Empower through Education will amplify our support for students and assure access to education, promote lifelong learning, hone excellence and unlock potential.
Drive Sustainability will leverage our research excellence to help create solutions that boldly address global sustainability challenges.
Transform Healthcare will expand our growing expertise across healthcare technologies to develop market-ready solutions that address critical health challenges, support global healthcare systems and deliver social impact.
Innovate with Business and Industry will strengthen our relationships with local businesses and global industry partners to ensure our campuses remain on the frontline of innovation, shaping global discourse around best practices and preparing our students for purposeful careers.
