Professor Nola Hewitt-Dundas has been named as Heriot-Watt University’s new Principal and Vice-Chancellor.
She assumes the role this week, becoming the first woman to hold the position in the institution’s history.
Professor Hewitt-Dundas joins from Queen’s University Belfast, where she served as Pro-Vice-Chancellor.
Her appointment coincides with the university preparing to launch Strategy 2035, its institutional strategy for the next decade, in October.
She succeeds Professor Richard A. Williams, who is stepping down at the end of September following an eleven-year tenure leading the university.
Bruce Pritchard, Chair of Court at Heriot-Watt University, said: “Professor Hewitt-Dundas brings a distinguished record in research and a deep understanding of how universities turn ideas into real benefit for communities and society.
“It is a privilege to welcome someone of her calibre, and a historic milestone for us, with Professor Hewitt-Dundas becoming the first woman to hold the post in our history.”
Professor Hewitt-Dundas brings a background in senior university leadership, global engagement, governance, innovation and research.
Professor Hewitt-Dundas said: “Heriot-Watt has always believed that education should be practical, useful, and open to anyone with the drive to use it. Our new strategy builds on that legacy, setting our direction for the next decade.
“This is an institution where we push the frontiers in disciplinary and interdisciplinary research.
“But what makes this distinctive is the strong ethos of innovation and entrepreneurship. And that’s evident in our graduate start-ups, our academic spin-outs, and our technology transfer with our partners.”
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