Interview with the principal: Steven Chapman of Heriot-Watt University

Scotland has a proud history stretching back centuries of producing world-class engineers. Their work is still evident around the globe to this day, with Hong Kong’s own Peak Tram system originally built by Scotsman Alexander Findlay Smith more than 120 years ago.

Edinburgh’s Heriot-Watt University is steeped in this tradition, its roots going back to 1821 when it was established as the world's first mechanics' institute.

Now with campuses in Dubai and Putrajaya, Malaysia, as well as Scotland, the university also has strong links with Hong Kong.

“We don’t have a campus in Hong Kong but we have universities here, such as Hong Kong Polytechnic, who are delivering our courses,” explains Professor Steve Chapman, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Heriot-Watt. “The students here take the same exams as those set in Edinburgh.”

At the end of last month Professor Chapman flew in for a graduation ceremony at Kowloonbay International Trade and Exhibition Centre for 220 graduates from Heriot-Watt programmes that ranged from MBAs to computer science to actuarial science.

Professor Chapman believes the fact that all Heriot-Watt’s programmes are professionally relevant is a huge draw for students from around the world.