VIWELL and Heriot-Watt University Dubai Campus are unveiling an incredible partnership on December 18, 2023, marking a significant stride in workplace wellbeing research in the Middle East. This collaboration is particularly noteworthy given the societal reluctance to address topics like wellbeing and mental health in the region alongside the limited availability of original research.
With the vision of VIWELL Founder Mohammed Husary, under the leadership of key figures such as Dr. Lucy Bolton, Dr. Gary Pheiffer, and Dr. Ishfaq Vajay from the Psychology Department at Heriot Watt Dubai Campus, alongside Dr. Maged Iskander, VIWELL’s Wellbeing Scientific Director, this partnership holds great significance on several aspects. Dr. Iskander, himself an alumnus of Heriot-Watt University, will play a crucial role in facilitating student internships and providing support and data access for dissertation projects, ensuring a pathway for future involvement between the two institutions.
VIWELL Institute, under the umbrella of VIWELL, renowned for its innovative digital wellbeing platform, especially in employee wellbeing initiatives, is set to redefine the benchmark of workplace wellbeing in the Middle East. Aligned with Heriot-Watt University’s academic pursuits, this partnership represents a commitment to joint research projects aimed at driving innovation in the sector.
Going beyond a traditional partnership, this collaboration is a joint commitment to nurturing future leaders in both corporate wellbeing and business psychology. The initiative aims to establish new benchmarks in research, education, and industry engagement. Against the backdrop of limited regional research and prevailing societal stigma, this partnership is poised to inspire tangible changes and bring about transformative developments in the local and regional wellbeing landscape.
As one of the many moving parts of this strategic initiative, the VIWELL Institute will host an advanced student from Heriot-Watt University as an intern, conducting research with primary data on workplace wellbeing. This initiative represents a pioneering effort to generate real-world numbers, a novel approach not previously undertaken in the region. By gathering authentic data, this collaboration opens doors to essential conversations, research, and statistics, aiming to reshape how wellbeing is perceived and treated in the Middle East, breaking new ground in the understanding and approach towards workplace wellbeing.
As the first chapter in this strategic initiative, the VIWELL-Heriot-Watt partnership marks the beginning of an incredible journey. The roadmap ahead promises more significant aspects, with the broader vision of enabling ‘living in balance’ for everyone in the region. This multifaceted initiative aims to redefine workplace wellbeing on a larger scale, addressing the complex challenges of our time.