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We share in the nation’s deep sorrow following the passing of Her Majesty The Queen who opened our Lord Balerno Building on our Edinburgh campus in 1987.
As Britain’s longest serving monarch, Elizabeth II has been the figurehead of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth for more than 70 years, and throughout her reign has enjoyed close links to the higher education sector.
Professor Richard A. Williams, Principal and Vice-Chancellor lead a tribute saying: “The Heriot-Watt University community join in mourning the loss of Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II. We pay tribute to her tireless commitment to the UK's higher education around the world and her life dedication to public service.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family at this difficult time.
“Thank you for your Service.”
The University has had the honour of receiving many Queen’s Anniversary Prizes in recognition of ground-breaking research in photonics, engineering and Technology and work to address extreme disadvantage.
An anniversary prize was awarded in 2019 in recognition of the work of the Institute for Social Policy, Housing, Equalities Research (I-SPHERE) which has brought new impetus to UK and international efforts to address extreme forms of disadvantage. The University also won an anniversary prize in 2020 for similar work by a research group whose work prompted a step-change in the UK Government’s approach to extreme disadvantage.
In 2021 and 2022 the prize was awarded for pioneering research in the frontier science of photonics and for recognition of Heriot-Watt's ground-breaking research in the advancement of photonics technology.
As well as previous awards in Engineering & Technology, Round 1 Prize-winner, 1994 and Engineering & Technology, Round 11 Prize-winner, 2015.
In tribute, all university flags, where we have them, will fly at half-mast. Staff and students are welcome to submit their own messages in a book of condolence which will be made available at each of our UK, Dubai and Malaysia campus reception areas.
For mourning and condolence arrangements please visit Edinburgh Council website
Further information on public events and official proceedings following The Queen's death, are expected to be made available shortly on The Royal Family website.