Our Tribute to Queen Elizabeth II

 

The University is deeply saddened to learn of the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

UEA Vice-Chancellor Prof David Richardson said: “It is with great sorrow that we come to terms with the passing of The Queen. Throughout the history of our University she has been the most long-standing and devoted figurehead of our country and a much-loved and highly respected figure.

“Queen Elizabeth II has been a most welcome guest visiting our campus on a number of occasions and taking a keen interest in the University’s development.

“I had the honour of meeting Queen Elizabeth II on her most recent visit in January 2017 when she toured the Sainsbury Centre’s exhibition of Fijian art.

“Queen Elizabeth II will be sorely missed as a leader of our country and as a good friend of our University; our thoughts are with the Royal family at this time.”

 

In 1968 The Queen visited the still-developing UEA campus, escorted by founding Vice-Chancellor Prof Frank Thistlethwaite. In 1994 she opened a new centre on campus for training the region’s occupational therapists and physiotherapists, named The Queen’s Building. 

Her latest visit to the Sainsbury Centre in 2017 was to tour ‘Fiji: Art & Life in the Pacific’, a landmark exhibition about the art and cultural history of Fiji. She met with members of the University and local community, while crowds of students and local school children gathered outside to welcome her to campus.

The University’s creative writing programme, and Schools of International Development and Environmental Sciences have all won The Queen’s Anniversary Prize, the UK’s most prestigious higher education award. In 2016 INTO UEA won The Queen’s Award for Enterprise (International Trade).