News Blog - 24th February 2006

Chichester College receives royal seal of approval

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh have presented a prestigious award to Chichester College at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace

The Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education recognises the highest quality of work taking place in higher and further education and prizewinners have to demonstrate outstanding work at world-class level. Chichester College won the award “for developing the College and its community through International student intake and integration”.

From a total of more than 300 entries, Chichester was the only college in the South to receive the award, in a list of 21 universities and colleges which included Oxford and Cambridge. Having won the prize and been presented with an impressive plaque the college now has the right to display the official logo for the next four years.

Principal, Dr Richard Parker was accompanied to the Palace by Peter Brown, Director of International, Frances Russell, Deputy Chair of Governors and Michael Parris and Rob Hayes from the International Directorate. Five international students from Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Cyprus and Zimbabwe, with three of them in national costume, were also in the party and the Queen made a point of talking to them, asking where they came from and what were they studying. “The Queen asked me if this was the first time the college had received an award like this,” said Dr Parker. “I said it was, and that I was particularly proud because only three colleges were receiving one this year, with 18 universities. She said she understood the competition had been quite intense, and congratulated me on the achievement. We were told that both the Queen and Prince Philip have a particular interest in this award, which was clear from the time they spent talking to the groups. The Princess Royal was also at the ceremony.”

As well as the plaque, the college was presented with a signed certificate from the Queen.

“It was a great success for us – we are absolutely delighted,” said Dr Parker.

The previous evening a formal banquet was held at London Guildhall, hosted by the Royal Anniversary Trust to celebrate the prizewinners’ achievements. The College representatives enjoyed an evening of fine dining, interesting conversation and speeches but with service from some familiar faces. A group of 21 Hospitality students from Chichester College had been asked to help with the service of the banquet and received high praise from the organisers for their professionalism. The group included students from India, South Africa, Japan, Hong Kong, Fiji and the Bahamas, as well as the UK, thus emphasising the international theme.

Over the last decade, the number of international students at Chichester College has increased tenfold, from 234 to 2,400 in 2005, with students coming from over 85 countries.

Click here images from the Queens Anniversary Presentation on the Chichester College (UK) website