Heriot-Watt University's Dubai Campus recently hosted a Highland Games to celebrate all things Scottish.
The event, held on 12 March, took place at Etisalat Academy and was attended by the Principal, Professor Steve Chapman.
Students, alumni and faculty members also took part in the event, as well as members of the Scottish expatriate community and Scottish dignitaries. Activities at the first ever Highland Games held by the University included: tug-o-war, shot put, weight over the bar and weight for distance, as well as football, volleyball, relay races and basketball.
In addition, competitions were held for children including 'wellie' throwing and fun runs. There was also entertainment including bagpipes, highland dancers and a bouncy castle as well as Scottish culinary treats from Walkers, Mackie's of Scotland and Tunnocks biscuits.
New Dubai Campus plans
The University's Dubai Campus has experienced an exciting few months with enrolments up by 36% in September 2010, and a move to the new AED200m, 28,000 sqm (300,000 sq. ft) state-of-the-art campus planned for September 2011.
The new campus will be modern and eco-friendly and will extend the student population to accommodate a further 3000 enrolments. The campus investment is being supported through a partnership with Eikon International Holding, which collaboratively works with select universities to advance graduate and under-graduate programmes.
The university plans to expand its programmes at the Dubai campus offering a wide range of subjects including: Architectural Engineering; Interior Design; Logistics and Supply Chain Management; Applied Psychology; Food Science; Computer Systems; Water resources.