104 Excellence in Higher Education
AI, data, and sustainability are global priorities. How is HWUD adapting its curriculum to these trends? Vanessa: AI is experiencing unprecedented growth. Just two years ago, few of us knew what ChatGPT was and today, we have dedicated programmes focused entirely on artificial intelligence. The field is evolving rapidly, shaped by global trends as well as strong regional influences, particularly in emerging areas such as fintech. Looking ahead to 2033, the UAE’s forward- thinking vision will not only attract greater numbers of people to the country but also emphasise the importance of ensuring that students and graduates are equipped with the skills needed for the workplaces of the future. While we may not have a crystal ball, we can forecast, study trends, and anticipate the competencies that will be essential in the years to come. At Heriot-Watt, continuous reflection and adaptation are integral to our culture. After each semester and academic year, we review our programmes in light of industry shifts and global developments, ensuring we nurture both our student community and the evolving curriculum that supports their success. Looking ahead, what excites you the most about the James Watt Building? Vanessa: I think it’s just an amazing atmosphere to be in, and I feel homesick when I’m away from this particular campus. I don’t like being away from it for too long. It’s just a fantastic place to work.
If you wander in the corridors of our main campus, you’ll see reflections of Old Edinburgh and New Edinburgh. And as you now come across the James Watt building, some of those key areas have been reflected. However, it’s about really focusing on the key stakeholders, which are the community and the body of students that we work for and serve. Can you tell us about the growth that HWUD has seen over the years? Twenty years ago, we had just 120 students, and the campus was a very different place. Today, our student population has grown to over 5,000 students. That’s across undergraduate, postgraduate, and our PGR community. We’ve grown exponentially. There is also significant potential for growth. We anticipate the numbers moving up to around 6,000 within the next 2 to 3 years. Each and every classroom has been designed specifically for different needs, and it’s not just about numbers. It’s about the actual activities that take place. We have digital pods, recording studios, and innovative rooms designed for various pedagogies and curricula. I would like to see more nationalities come, even though we have just shy of 160 nationalities in our student body. And in terms of our staff population, we have just shy of 60 different nationalities. So, I would like to see even more come. I would like to see the students learning from each other, if possible, from different cultures and nationalities across these two buildings.
Powered by FlippingBook