Heriot-Watt University bicentenary 1821 Appeal

That this House congratulates Heriot-Watt University on raising over £4 million for its 1821 Appeal; acknowledges that the initiative was launched with the aim to widen access to education at Heriot-Watt University by providing opportunities to all students regardless of their background, ethnicity, disability or gender; understands that this fundraising effort will enable eight projects to support under-represented students across Heriot-Watt University campuses in Scotland, Dubai and Malaysia by providing financial support and by helping students build important career and life skills; notes that the 1821 Appeal was launched as part of Heriot-Watt’s bicentenary celebrations in June 2021 and will run for the next four years; recognises that more than 480 donors, alumni and friends of Heriot-Watt University from across the world contributed over the project’s fundraising period between June 2021 and August 2022; welcomes the transformative benefits of inclusive education on the economy and society; and applauds Heriot-Watt University’s ongoing efforts to widen participation in higher education.