Welcome
Adam Gillies Alumni Engagement Manager
Welcome to the latest edition of The Watt
While every graduate journey is different, being part Heriot-Watt University’s global community connects us all.
The opportunities that come with a Heriot-Watt education stay with you long after graduation, and
I’ve been fortunate to meet hundreds (if not thousands!) of our alumni around the world who are creating interesting pathways to professional success and fulfilment. It is always truly inspiring to meet our Watt Club members—now numbering more than 182,000 in over 190 countries—and this magazine is about sharing some of their stories.
Read about marine biotechnology entrepreneur and founder of Jellagen, Andrew Spragg; learn about Jenna[JJ1] Robertson’s fascinating global career from engineering to opera singing to regenerative leadership; and find out how Ebrima B Sawaneh overcame adversity to become a leading CFO.
I’d like to thank everyone who attended one of our many events in the past year. From Singapore to San Francisco and from business breakfasts to online careers events, the Alumni Team has supported diverse opportunities for our community to connect, network, learn and engage – with one another and with the University. The Watt Club really is one big family and a truly international one: putting that ethos in context is The Global Advantage article in this edition of the magazine.
We are delighted to feature Heriot-Watt’s new Principal and Vice Chancellor, Professor Nola Hewitt-Dundas, to welcome Margaret Clift[MS1] as our new Assistant Principal, Advancement, and to introduce Dr Heriet Kudakwashe Mhondiwa, the new Watt Club President. You can read more about these important appointments by following the links.
Did you know that as a Heriot-Watt alum you can benefit from discounted fitness membership at Oriam, Scotland's Sports Performance Centre? Oriam celebrates its tenth anniversary this year and our feature highlights the impact it has made for our students, including Scottish Rugby star Molly Poolman.
Alumni are at the heart of career support for our current students and recent graduates, and we are hugely grateful for this involvement across our careers programmes. Learn more about how we foster employability through alumni input and via initiatives such as the Practice Excellence Network.
The generosity of our alumni continues to make a lasting difference through our Shaping Futures Campaign. Whether through philanthropy, volunteering their time, sharing expertise or opening doors for others, alumni are helping to create life-changing opportunities for students and supporting groundbreaking research and innovation across the University. Read more about the impact of the campaign and the difference our community makes on pages XX and XX respectively.
However you choose to engage with Heriot-Watt, whether by attending events, mentoring students, supporting fellow graduates, volunteering your time, contributing philanthropically, or simply staying connected, thank you for helping make our alumni community, The Watt Club, so vibrant and impactful.
Adam Gillies Alumni Engagement Manager
PS To make sure that you are getting the most out of your alumni network, be sure to update your contact details and email preferences online.
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Students celebrate graduation.
A Watt Club Zambia event (??).
Welcome to Margaret Clift, Assistant Principal, Advancement
We are delighted to welcome Margaret Clift to Heriot-Watt University as our new Assistant Principal, Advancement.
Margaret joins us from the University of Glasgow, where she was Head of Strategic Philanthropy. A major gift fundraising specialist with more than 20 years’ experience across the higher education, culture and voluntary sectors, she has held senior roles at the University of Edinburgh, National Museums Scotland and Amnesty International UK. Throughout her career, Margaret has led successful fundraising campaigns, developed impactful philanthropic partnerships and helped organisations achieve ambitious goals. In recognition of her contribution to the profession, she has been named among Fundraising Magazine's Top 25 Most Influential Fundraisers in the UK.
As Assistant Principal, Advancement, Margaret will lead the University's advancement strategy, helping to strengthen relationships with alumni, donors and partners around the world while supporting Heriot-Watt's bold ambitions for the future. Working alongside our global alumni community, she will play a key role in advancing the University's Strategy 2035 vision and creating opportunities for graduates to engage with, support and champion Heriot-Watt.
Margaret commented: “I am delighted to be joining Heriot-Watt University at such an exciting time in its history. Heriot-Watt's global outlook, pioneering spirit and commitment to making a positive impact resonate strongly with me. I look forward to connecting with our alumni community around the world, hearing their stories and achievements and working together to build lasting relationships that support the University's ambitions and create opportunities for future generations of students.”
