Chancellor’s Prizes – July 2018

As Chancellor of the University of Huddersfield, HRH The Duke of York presented the Chancellor’s Prizes to 11 of most successful students at the July 2018 award ceremonies

HIS Royal Highness The Duke of York has paid tribute to ‘girl power’ at the University of Huddersfield.

As its Chancellor, he presented certificates to the 11 students who had achieved the best results in their year, earning a coveted Chancellor’s Prize.

After the ceremony, His Royal Highness said he was taken aback that just one of the 2018 winners was male.  But he told the audience that he was pleased rather than shocked, because of the under-representation of women in STEM subjects, such as engineering.

The Chancellor’s Prize ceremony was introduced by Professor Christine Jarvis, who is the University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning.

She described the winners as “a remarkable group who are the top achievers from across our academic schools”.

Professor Jarvis added that the awards were also a testament to the excellence of the support the winners have received from their families and friends. 

“It is not always easy being the wife, husband, child, parent, friend of a single-minded high flyer, and your understanding, your practical support and your willingness to let them shine is critical,” she added.

In some cases, said Professor Jarvis, the prize-winners might have been the first in their families to attend university, describing this as “a great vindication of our determination here to ensure that everyone has access to a superb education”.

After the presentation ceremony, the Duke met all of the winners individually and discussed their courses and plans for the future.

Among the dignitaries present at the event – which took place at the start of the University’s summer graduation ceremonies – were the High Sheriff of West Yorkshire, Richard Jackson, and the Mayor of Kirklees, Councillor Gwen Lowe.