Royal visit to University of Leicester honours legacy of Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge acknowledge close relationship between University and Leicester City Football Club during historic visit to Leicester.
Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge met staff, students and members of the community today (Wednesday 28 November) as they visited the University of Leicester to recognise the University’s work in the local community.
Following their visit to the King Power Stadium, they visited the University to hear about three educational programmes that have been conducted in partnership with Leicester City Football Club. In May this year, Club Chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and Leicester City Football Club pledged £1 million to support the University’s efforts to treat and research life-threatening illnesses. This will include the creation of the Leicester City Football Club Professorship in Child Health – the only such post ever to be funded through a football club.
The Duke met Co-Directors, staff and student trainers of Heartwize, a unique resuscitation training programme which is working nationally to train schoolchildren, community groups and sports fans – including Leicester City – with essential lifesaving skills.
The Duchess found out more about the proposed Leicester City Football Club Professorship in Child Health and met a local family who spoke about their experiences of child healthcare in the city
The royal couple then met staff and students involved in the Leicester City Science Stars programme, which uses the appeal of the Premier League and professional football clubs to inspire children to learn, be active and engage with science.
Their Royal Highnesses then had the opportunity to sit down with a group of University of Leicester students selected for their significant civic contributions, community leadership and volunteering programmes. Recipients of the University’s Centenary Scholarship – a £1,000 scholarship in honour of the University’s centenary – discussed the impact of the support and their experiences at the University so far and University of Leicester Students’ Union President, Amy Moran led a discussion with current students who spoke about their studies, experiences and future aspirations.
The visit ended with the royal couple meeting with members of the waiting crowd in the University’s newly opened Centenary Square.
President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Boyle CBE said: “Today was a historic day for the University of Leicester. We are very proud of our close relationship with Leicester City Football Club and it was our privilege to share with The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge the many ways we are continuing to honour Vichai’s legacy.
“Today will be a day our students and staff will never forget, especially those who got to speak to Their Royal Highnesses about their experiences at the University.”