Heriot-Watt boosts professional coaching with new partnership

Heriot-Watt has become the first UK university to partner with EMCC Global, one of the world’s biggest professional industry bodies in coaching, mentoring and supervision.

Coaching and mentoring have become increasingly popular with individuals looking to develop their careers. Coaches offer expertise across a range of sectors including business, human resources, and science. They often have real-world work experience and move into coaching to help others in developing their skills to achieve personal and professional goals.

Heriot-Watt, which has a dedicated Coaching Lab offering services to staff and students across its campuses in Scotland, Dubai and Malaysia, has today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with EMCC Global and its respective geographical affiliates at a ceremony held at the University’s Edinburgh Business School.

The partnership aims to develop joint research projects and establish continuing professional development, combining research and practice. Students will get the opportunity to attend networking events with coaches, researchers, and industry leaders. Other benefits include the potential to provide training, workshops, and events to equip students and coaches with latest knowledge and a post-study route into a career as a registered coach by becoming fully accredited members of EMCC Global.

The MoU was signed by Professor Angus Laing, Executive Dean of Edinburgh Business School and the School of Social Sciences, EMCC Global and its affiliates.

Professor Laing said: “Our partnership with the EMCC marks a significant milestone in the field of coaching. By bridging academia with industry expertise, this collaboration not only amplifies opportunities for students, but also enhances the landscape of professional development. Together, we’re shaping the future of coaching, equipping individuals to reach their potential and driving career advancement.”

Dr Ke Guek-Nee, Director of the Heriot-Watt University Coaching Lab and a driving force behind the MoU, highlighted the growing interest in coaching and mentoring.

She said: “This Memorandum of Understanding marks a pivotal stride in propelling forward the Coaching Lab's goals and master's programmes in coaching psychology theory and practice. Our approach, blending academic rigor with practical expertise, is designed to empower and elevate the impact of both students and staff coaches on personal and organisational development. This strategic collaboration harmonises seamlessly with the University's vision of being a pioneer in education, collectively working towards fostering a globally connected university.”

The MoU promises to create new opportunities for collaboration between all parties, leveraging the global reach of Heriot-Watt’s Coaching Lab, which is a central point for coaching psychology and coaching research across the University.

Alison Mitchell, Head of EMCC Global Centre for Excellence in Research, who led on behalf of EMCC Global, said: “It is vital for the future reputation of coaching practice that it is underpinned by evidence-based research. This agreement brings us closer to empowering practitioners to engage with research.”

Dr Riza Kadilar, President of EMCC Global, said: "I’m thrilled with this great step forward, hopefully marking a significant stride towards enhancing global coaching and mentoring standards. This collaboration symbolises our commitment to developing research informed practice fostering excellence and innovation in coaching and mentoring across the world. Together, we aim to develop our collaboration that will empower professionals in our field to better meet the challenges facing our stakeholders now and in the future.”