Showcasing commitment to innovation and economic growth in South of Scotland at inaugural event
Heriot-Watt University can announce the successful conclusion of its inaugural Business and Enterprise Breakfast Briefing, held on Friday, 31 May at the Scottish Borders Campus. The event attracted over 40 attendees from across the business ecosystem in the Scottish Borders and south of Scotland, showcasing the university's extensive offerings in interdisciplinary design, sustainable utilisation of natural resources, empowerment of ageing communities, and comprehensive skills development and talent recruitment.
The event was designed to engage both textile-related and adjacent industries, highlighting the myriad opportunities Heriot-Watt University provides through its global reach, with campuses in Dubai, Malaysia, Orkney, and a large online cohort through Heriot-Watt Online programmes.
Having a vibrant university town in the heartland of the Scottish Borders is incredibly important for our community. The broad range of expertise that Heriot-Watt brings to the table offers immense value to businesses across all sectors.
Attendees were introduced to a variety of talent recruitment solutions, including collaborative programmes that connect universities with businesses to foster skill development, innovation, and knowledge exchange like Graduate Apprenticeships and Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs).
Keynote speakers included Ian Stirling, Co-Founder of Muckle Brig, who recently launched the Port of Leith Distillery. Stirling emphasised the integral role Muckle Brig's Heriot-Watt KTP has played in its success, delivering the research needed to create a sustainable and differentiated business model within the Scotch Malt Whisky sector.
Additionally, Fatima Asia from Plexus, recognised as the Scottish Graduate Apprentice of the Year 2023, spoke on the advantages of flexible work-based learning and its positive impact on her career and organisation.
Demonstrating the university's diverse and impactful research, Associate Professor Euan Winton, of the School of Textiles and Design presented on the principles of co-design in developing solutions for dynamic and healthy ageing. Meanwhile, Professor Marc Desmulliez, Manager of the Medical Device Manufacturing Centre at Heriot-Watt, detailed the types of support the university can offer businesses, highlighting recent collaborations with the Borders-based engineering company, Stewart Technologies.
The event preceded the official opening of Heriot-Watt University’s School of Textiles and Design’s annual Degree Show, a celebration and showcase of the exemplary talent and innovation produced by the school's vibrant and diverse students. Running from 1st-7th June in the historic High Mill Building at our Scottish Borders campus, the Degree Show features a collection of thought-provoking final-year projects from across our Fashion and Textiles, Constructed and Virtual Environments, and Communication and Design programmes.
Councillor Euan Jardine, Leader of Scottish Borders Council praised the event's significance, stating:
"This inaugural event is of great importance, helping to join the dots between our local businesses and the exceptional resources available at Heriot-Watt University.
“Having a vibrant university town in the heartland of the Scottish Borders is incredibly important for our community. The broad range of expertise that Heriot-Watt brings to the table offers immense value to businesses across all sectors.
“This collaboration not only fosters innovation and economic growth but also solidifies the Scottish Borders as a hub of academic excellence and entrepreneurial spirit. The university’s commitment to supporting our local industries will ensure that we can continue to thrive, innovate and compete on both a national and global scale."
David Richardson, Chief Entrepreneurial Executive for Heriot-Watt University, expressed the institution's commitment to fostering a robust and innovative business ecosystem in the region:
"Our ambition is to create a dynamic environment where businesses and academia work hand in hand to drive forward innovative solutions and economic prosperity.
“Heriot-Watt's global reach offers a unique advantage to the Scottish Borders. For instance, our clean-tech showcase platform, hosted in Dubai during COP28 last year, allowed us to highlight our partners’ leadership in sustainability and innovation on the world stage.
“We have countless examples of supporting both start-up organisations and established businesses, helping them thrive locally, nationally, and globally. This global perspective, combined with our deep local roots, ensures that we can offer unparalleled opportunities and support to the diverse business community in the Scottish Borders."
Chris Rigby, Strategy Manager – Innovation at South of Scotland Enterprise, highlighted the value of the event, reflecting:
"Thank you again for such an informative event. It was truly one of the best I’ve attended. The breadth of knowledge and opportunities presented was impressive and highly relevant to the diverse needs of our business community.
The insights into Heriot-Watt's innovative global research and practical applications, particularly in areas such as medical device manufacturing and co-design for ageing, were especially enlightening. These areas of excellence will undoubtedly bolster the success of organisations in the south of Scotland."
For further information on upcoming events and partnership opportunities, please visit Heriot-Watt University's Business and Enterprise landing page.