His Majesty King Charles III opened the new Dubai campus of Heriot-Watt University on Thursday. The new campus has 5,000 students enrolled from 115 nationalities.
The King, accompanied by the UK’s Foreign Secretary, Lord Cameron, and First Minister Humza Yousaf carried out the formalities.
His Majesty then visited Heriot-Watt Climate Hub which is partly funded by the UK Government, and met with several British companies who were part of the Cleantech exhibition and displaying innovative solutions to the threat posed by the climate crisis.
Set up at the Dubai campus to run alongside COP28, which is being hosted by the UAE, the Climate Hub embodies Heriot-Watt’s ambition to take a distinctive lead in defining the route to global sustainability.
The university is using its convening power in collaboration with other partners at the event to host a schedule of daily events to mirror and complement the themes of COP28.
The First Minister said the campus helped showcase the leading role Scotland is playing in finding solutions for the biggest challenges facing the planet.
Mr Yousaf also opened The Scottish Government-supported Multi-Level Action and Urbanisation Pavilion, and met with Global South partners and youth activists to discuss priorities for COP28.
Later the First Minister will join senior business and trade leaders, Scottish university representatives, and representatives of the Global Scots network at a St Andrew’s Day reception, with industry-leading Chef Adam Tracey showcasing the best of Scotland’s food and drink.
Mr Yousaf said: “I am proud of Scotland’s leadership in advocating for climate justice and progressing a just transition to net zero, so it is fitting the official opening of Heriot-Watt University Campus in Dubai takes place on the first day of the world’s largest global climate conference. This new campus will play a leading role in demonstrating the skills and ideas we have in Scotland to help find solutions for the biggest challenges facing the planet.
“The ambitions, enthusiasm and dedication of young people around the world are crucial in tackling climate change and advocating for climate action. Globally we need to harness this energy and ensure we are using our collective talent, innovation, and enthusiasm to contribute to finding the solutions that will deliver a net zero future.
“The Scottish Government will continue to call for loss and damage funding that prioritises the needs of vulnerable communities and take a lead on addressing the biodiversity and the climate crisis. I am confident these shared ambitions will be keenly felt by those who attend this vital climate summit, and at home.”
Professor Richard A. Williams, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Heriot-Watt University said: “We are deeply honoured by the visit of His Majesty King Charles III to open our campus in Dubai.
“Heriot-Watt was the first British university to open a campus in Dubai back in 2005 and since then, we have grown to become the largest international university in the UAE.
“When our University was founded more than 200 years ago, it set out a clear purpose to benefit society by making education accessible, inclusive and industry-focused – helping our students and academics to have a positive impact on the world.
“We are committed to taking a global lead on sustainability and, as the UAE hosts COP28, we will be showcasing some of our deep expertise in areas including industrial decarbonisation, energy transition and sustainable logistics.
“Universities play a vital role in advancing knowledge and solutions around climate change, and we are proud to be hosting a dynamic Climate Hub here at Heriot-Watt University Dubai, to help move conversations into action.”
Deputy Vice Principal Professor Tadhg O’Donovan said: “Building flourishing communities, through our positive influence and impact as a university, is one of our key values at Heriot-Watt – and our Climate Hub embodies this in its role as an interactive space for collaboration, innovation and discovery. We recognise that higher education institutions have a role in society beyond just the curriculum they teach, and we greatly look forward to bringing people together to discuss the climate crisis, find real solutions and drive positive action for a more sustainable future.”
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