Scottish rugby’s head coach, Gregor Townsend, is set to be formally recognized today by Heriot-Watt University for his outstanding contributions to the sport. A former player of great influence in the world of rugby, he will receive an Honorary Doctorate from the university during the Winter Graduation Ceremonies at the Edinburgh Campus.
In recognition of his remarkable career and the impact he has had on the sport, Mr. Townsend will be presented with the academic title of Doctor of the University by Professor Sir Geoff Palmer, Chancellor of Heriot-Watt University, alongside other graduates at the James Watt Centre.
Upon receiving this prestigious award, Mr. Townsend expressed his gratitude, stating: “I feel very humble to receive this honorary degree. Heriot-Watt University holds a special place in my heart, as its campus in Galashiels is where I first began and ended my playing career. I would also like to thank Oriam for their continued support and relationship with Scottish rugby and to everyone at Heriot-Watt for this award.”
The renowned coach has enjoyed an illustrious career in Scottish and international rugby, achieving 82 caps for his country as a player. His exceptional skills and unwavering commitment on the field resulted in a call-up for the 1997 British & Irish Lions squad, and in 1999 he received an MBE for services to rugby.
Following his retirement from playing, Mr. Townsend successfully transitioned to coaching. He was appointed as Head Coach of Glasgow Warriors in 2012 and later assumed the role of Scotland Head Coach in 2017.
In light of Mr. Townsend’s influential career, Ross Campbell, Executive Director at Oriam, extended his congratulations, praising Townsend’s dedication to the sport: “Oriam has always aimed to celebrate and support outstanding individuals who make a difference in the world of sports and Gregor Townsend is a prime example of such excellence. He rightly deserves his place as one of Scotland’s greatest ever sportsmen, and we are proud to play our part in making available our outstanding training facilities to him and his players.”
A spokesperson from Heriot-Watt University added: “Gregor’s honorary degree is in recognition of his remarkable contributions to rugby over many years. His ability to lead and inspire others has left an indelible mark on the sport, and this award reflects the deep respect for his achievements and continued positive impact.”
In addition to recognizing Townsend’s contributions, Heriot-Watt and Oriam have also announced a yearly sports scholarship program aimed at providing high-performance training environments for sports scholars. This includes the Club Performance program, which allows students to study at Heriot-Watt while receiving specialist support to advance in football or squash. Scholars on this program will also have access to world-class training facilities and receive a 40% reduction in their university fees.
The honorary degree conferred upon Mr. Townsend is a testament to his remarkable career and the ongoing influence he wields across the sport. Any students interested in applying for sports scholarship programs or learning more about these initiatives are encouraged to visit the university’s website.
This recognition comes as part of the 12 graduation ceremonies at the University’s Edinburgh campus, celebrating the academic achievement of students from various schools within the university.