The Queens Award CeremonyThe presentation ceremony at Buckingham Palace
On the morning of Thursday February 14th the Rector of Imperial College London, Sir Richard Sykes, was presented with the medal by the Queen, and Professor Alan Fenwick received the citation from the Duke of Edinburgh. The ceremony at Buckingham Palace was attended by Professors Steven Smith, Roy Anderson and Joanne Webster. Five SCI staff were allowed to join the Imperial College party and these were Dr. Lynsey Blair, Ms. Fiona Fleming, Ms Elisa Bosque-Oliva, Ms. Artemis Koukounari and Mr. Michael French. After the presentation ceremony, both the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh visited the College groups, and they both spoke individually to each of the Imperial College representatives which was appreciated by everyone. The ceremony was marked by a supplement to the Times newspaper of February 14th which gave an excellent write up about the project.
Dinner at the GuildhallOn Wednesday 13th February a dinner was held in the Guildhall to celebrate the 20 winners of the 2007 Queens Royal Anniversary Trust Award for excellence to selected projects submitted by the successful Centres of Higher Education. As was announced earlier, SCI was the successful Imperial College entry. At the dinner, representatives from the College and several external invited guests were in attendance. The Rector and Professor Steven Smith received the medal, although it was taken back at the end of the evening to be presented on February 14th by the Queen herself. The College was represented by the Rector, Sir Richard Sykes, Professors Steven Smith, Sir Roy Anderson, Elio Riboli, Alan Fenwick, Joanne Webster, and Christl Donnelly, and Dr. Marie-Alice Deville. The external invited guests included Drs. David Brandling-Bennett and Julie Jacobson representing the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Dr. Sam Zaramba from the Ministry of Health in Uganda, Professor David Molyneux from GAELF, SCI Board members Dr. Joe Cook and Richard Olds, Mark Stoleson, President of Legatum, Ms. Alix Weldon representing the Weldon Foundation, and Andy Koval CEO of MedPharm. Unfortunately both Dr Lorenzo Savioli and the Hon Alain Yoda had to miss the event at the last minute. The main speakers were the Founder of the Trust Mr, Robin Gill, the cabinet secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell and Professor Sir David Wallace, Master of Churchill College Cambridge. Entertainment was provided by singers from the Guildhall School of Music. |
