Heriot-Watt University: Difference between revisions
CaseInPoint (talk | contribs) No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 19: | Line 19: | ||
|doctoral = |
|doctoral = |
||
|city = [[Edinburgh]] |
|city = [[Edinburgh]] |
||
|state = |
|state = [[Scotland]] |
||
|country = [[ |
|country = [[UK]] |
||
|campus = |
|campus = |
||
|free_label = Other campuses |
|free_label = Other campuses |
||
Revision as of 13:06, 6 August 2007
| File:Logo hw.gif | |
| Type | Public university |
|---|---|
| Established | 1821 |
| Chancellor | Baroness Greenfield |
| Principal | Professor Anton Muscatelli |
| Chairman of Court | Gavin J Gemmell |
| Students | 10,225 [1] |
| Undergraduates | 5,605 [1] |
| Postgraduates | 4,620 [1] |
| Location | , , |
| Other campuses | Galashiels Stromness Dubai |
| Website | http://www.hw.ac.uk/ |
55°54′33″N 3°19′12″W / 55.90917°N 3.32000°W
Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland, is the eighth-oldest higher education institution in the United Kingdom [1], although it only received its university charter in 1966. Originally based in the centre of Edinburgh, the main campus is now located in Riccarton in the Currie area on the outskirts of the city, with satellite campuses at Galashiels in the Borders (formerly the Scottish College of Textiles); Stromness in Orkney; and a new campus in Academic City, Dubai.
History
The institution that became Heriot-Watt University began with a conversation between the Edinburgh businessmen Leonard Horner and Robert Bryson about the lack of technical education for the working classes. This led to the opening of the School of Arts of Edinburgh "for the Education of Mechanics in Such Branches of Physical Science as are of Practical Application in their several trades", in October 1821.
In 1852 the name of the school was changed to the Watt Institution and School of Arts, in memory of the engineer and inventor James Watt. In 1869 women were permitted to attend classes, making Heriot-Watt a pioneer in equal opportunities in education.
During the 1870s a new building on Chambers Street was constructed, causing the institution severe financial difficulties that were resolved by merging with George Heriot's Hospital for needy orphans. At this point the name was changed to Heriot-Watt College; the name Heriot being ultimately derived from the jeweler, financier and philanthropist George Heriot.
The college continued to expand throughout the 20th century, developing a reputation in the fields of science and engineering, and became a university in 1966, following the recommendations of the Robbins Report.
In 1969 the former Gibson-Craig estate at Riccarton, 7 miles (11 km) to the south-west of Edinburgh, was gifted to the University and was purchased for one penny. Between 1971 and 1992 the University moved to a purpose-built campus on this site, however situated within a city green-belt, buildings on the campus cannot be greater than 4 floors in height.
The Edinburgh Business School, a component of Heriot-Watt, boasts one of the world's largest Masters of Business Administration programs [2], offered on-campus or around the world by distance education, and assessed by rigorous subject exams. A Doctor of Business Administration program, along similar lines but also containing a major research component, has recently been introduced.
In 2005, the university announced plans to open a campus in Dubai. In 2006 (end of 2005), the new 40,000 sq.ft. campus opened in Academic City, Dubai. Heriot-Watt University Dubai offers Bachelor of Arts degrees in Business, Accounting, Finance and Management as well as a Master's degree in Information Technology. Engineering degrees (especially Petroleum Engineering) are likely to be introduced in the near future.
The neuroscientist Baroness Susan Greenfield became Chancellor of Heriot-Watt on February 1st, 2006 [3].
Sports Union
Heriot-Watt University Sports Union has its 30 year anniversary in 2006-2007. It has 32 clubs that compete in the British Universities Sports Association leagues on a Wednesday and in many Scottish National leagues on Saturdays and Sundays. There have been many athletes that have progressed through the ranks to represent their country at the Scottish Universtites level and on the National and International Stage.
Schools
- School of the Built Environment
- Architectural Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Construction Management & Surveying
- Urban Studies
- School of Engineering and Physical Sciences
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Centre for Occupational Health & Safety
- Combined Studies
- School of Life Sciences
- School of Management and Languages
- School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences
- Actuarial Mathematics & Statistics
- Computer Science
- Mathematics
- School of Textiles and Design
- Edinburgh Business School
- Institute of Petroleum Engineering
Notable alumni
See also Category:Alumni of Heriot-Watt University
- Adam Crozier, Chief Executive of the Royal Mail, and former Chief Executive of the English Football Association.
- Professor Peter Grant, Head of the School of Engineering and Electronics, University of Edinburgh, Winner of the Institution of Electrical Engineers Faraday Medal 2004 (BSc, 1966)
- Archy Kirkwood, Baron Kirkwood of Kirkhope PC KBE (BSc Pharmacy 1971)
- Brian Monteith, Independent MSP
- Christina Cruickshank Miller BSc, PhD, DSc, FH-WC: born 29 August 1899; elected FRSE 7 March 1949; died 16 July 2001. One of the first five women elected to the Royal Society of Edinburgh. First female chemist elected to the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
- James Nasmyth, engineer and inventor of the steam hammer (one of the first students of the Edinburgh School of Arts) (1808-90)
- Stuart Purdy, Group Chief Executive of the Hibernian Insurance Group, Dublin, Ireland and previously Managing Director of [Aviva India]. Former President of Heriot-Watt University Students' Association elected in 1983 and a former member of the Court and Senate. (BA Government and Modern History 1985)
- Richard Tait, creator of Cranium (board game) (BSc Computer Science 1986)
- Jim Telfer, Director of Rugby, Scottish Rugby Union plc (BSc Applied Chemistry 1963, DUniv 1998)
- Irvine Welsh, writer, author of Trainspotting (MBA 1991)
- Gary Younge, journalist and writer
- Jock Clear, Formula 1 engineer for the Honda F1 racing team. (BEng Mechanical Engineering 1987)
- Fiona Watson 1968 - 2003 a political affairs officer working in Sérgio Vieira de Mello's office who was killed along with other members of UN staff in the Canal Hotel bombing in Iraq, on the afternoon of August 19, 2003.
- Murray Wilson, BSc Hons, Offshore Engineering, 1982. United Nations Humanitarian and Conflict Manager.
- Robin Liddell, Professional Race Car Driver (Bachelor of Arts in Economics).
- Nandeep Bamrah, MBA Graduate at age 17. (MBA 2005) [2].
See also
References
- ^ a b c "Table 0a - All students by institution, mode of study, level of study, gender and domicile 2005/06". Higher Education Statistics Agency online statistics. Retrieved 2007-04-05.
- ^ "Boy achieves top grade MBA degree BBC News Online" 27 January, 2005 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/northamptonshire/4212683.stm
External links
- Heriot-Watt University website
- Heriot-Watt University Students Association
- Review of Heriot-Watt by the British Council
- Review of Heriot-Watt business school
Template:Scottish Universities
