102 Excellence in Higher Education
D eveloped in partnership with JLL, the project goes far beyond bricks and mortar. Every element has been designed to inspire - from the 200-seat auditorium equipped for world-class events, to flexible classrooms where furniture and layouts can be completely reconfigured, down to the carpet. Breakout zones, collaborative hubs, and a new student hangout space ensure the building supports both study and social life. Sustainability has also been at the heart of the project, with the campus achieving LEED Gold certification. This reflects Heriot-Watt’s commitment not only to academic excellence but also to meeting the UAE’s sustainability goals. In every way, the James Watt Building sets a new benchmark for higher education in Dubai - a place that mirrors the future workplaces students will enter, while creating authentic experiences and lasting memories.
In this exclusive interview with Education UAE, Vanessa Northway, Deputy Vice Principal - Learning & Teaching and Student Experience at HWUD, shares how the James Watt Building came to life, why it matters, and what it means for the university’s next chapter. Heriot-Watt University Dubai has completed 20 years in the UAE. Looking back, what stands out as the biggest milestone? Vanessa: There have been many, but the new James Watt building is a particular highlight. It reflects how far we have come in the last decade. When I first arrived 16 years ago, we were operating from a much smaller space, and this is now the fifth campus I have worked in. The growth has been incredible, not only for colleagues but also for our students and graduates who form part of a wider global community.
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