West Midlands universities receive top honours as a present from The Queen
TWO West Midlands universities are among just 12 nationally to have been awarded a prestigious Regius Professorship by The Queen.
A Regius Professorship is a rare and privileged award with only 14 created since the reign of Queen Victoria. Historically they were limited to a handful of ancient universities in the UK such as Oxford, Cambridge and Trinity College, Dublin.
The title of Regius Professor has been held by notable academics such as Sir Hugh Trevor-Roper and Sir Joseph Lister. A Regius Professorship is a mark of exceptionally high standards of research and teaching.
Aston University’s School of Pharmacy is one of the bodies recognised, which comes as part of The Queen’s 90th Birthday celebrations.
The School of Pharmacy has been at the forefront of scientific advances since 1847. Aston’s School of Pharmacy developed the $2 billion blockbuster drug Temozolomide, the leading treatment for brain tumours, as well as creating the UK’s first Masters programme for hospital pharmacists.
The Baroness Brown of Cambridge, Vice-Chancellor of Aston University said: “This is a very special recognition for the University, and a reward for the outstanding work conducted by our School of Pharmacy.”
Also recognised is WMG, at the University of Warwick, which has been has been bestowed the title for its academic research in driving growth and improving productivity.
Professor Lord Bhattacharyya, chairman and founder of WMG, said: “Having founded WMG in 1980 to invigorate UK manufacturing, it is a wonderful honour to be bestowed upon the group.
“This is recognition to every member of staff, over the last 35 years, who has contributed to our success. We are now internationally acclaimed and the largest centre for Manufacturing in the world. I am immensely delighted to have been granted this prestigious Regius Professorship in Manufacturing for WMG.”
Jo Johnson, Minister for Universities and Science, said: “The success of our economy is underpinned by the exceptional science and research taking place in our world leading universities up and down the country and I’m delighted these 12 institutions have been recognised for their achievements.”
The Queen granted the awards following advice from Ministers, who were themselves advised by a panel of eminent experts including Anne Glover, Sir Robin Saxby, Baroness Finlay and Rowan Douglas.
