University of Birmingham wins prestigious higher education prize

The University of Birmingham has been awarded a Queen’s Anniversary Prize, for its longstanding relationship with Rolls-Royce, who have been in a strong collaboration since 1989 on advances that address environmental concerns.

The prize, awarded on November 16th, is the highest national honour in UK further and higher education. The award celebrates excellence and innovation, recognising work that delivers to the wider world and public.   

Professor Adam Tickell, vice-chancellor and principal of the University of Birmingham spoke of the partnership as making a “vital contribution”.

He said: “The University and Rolls-Royce have worked together for more than 30 years – a relationship that has produced high-quality research, more than 100 doctoral students and made a vital contribution to the UK’s manufacturing infrastructure and capability. We are proud to receive this prestigious award in recognition of our unique and successful collaboration.” 

The University of Birmingham and Rolls-Royce partnership is centred on the science of advanced metallic alloys, with decades of research and innovation to deliver new engine technologies to help achieve 2050 net-zero emissions targets.

First awarded in 1994, this is the fifteenth biennial round of the Queen’s Anniversary Prize, with the partnership generating more than 100 patents and supports the education of undergraduate and postgraduate students through placements, secondments, prizes and doctoral research. 

Mark Jefferies, Chief of University Research Liaison at Rolls-Royce and Honorary Professor at the University of Birmingham, said: “I am exceptionally proud of the highly collaborative partnership between Rolls-Royce and the University of Birmingham. It has continually evolved, training many highly skilled people and delivering exceptional research at a scale that has a direct impact on our global business.” 

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