Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, who sat on the throne for 70 years, has died on 8th September 2022 at 96 years old, born on April 21, 1926 in London. Princess Elizabeth never attended a public or private school, and she doesn’t have any formal degree from university or college. She was educated at home with some prominent teachers. She studied constitutional history and law. Her majesty was full of inspiration for teachers, educators, and students.
She was truly an outstanding inspiration and figure that all students portray for them. Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II leaves behind an extraordinary legacy in every field of life, especially in the education sector. A deep feeling of loss and grief has surrounded the world at her death. She was a figure of strength and has left behind a legacy of empowerment. We are very grateful to her for all her wonderful contributions to education. She inspired so many members of our community to contribute. She will be sorely missed.
For her continuous support and inspiration, Universities around the world have issued tributes following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Surprisingly, she visited numerous university campuses across the UK and the Commonwealth since taking the throne in 1952, and also served as patron of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU). Her Majesty was a patron of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) since 1986, and because of her support and patronage, the association became able to organise a forum for universities all over the world to share ideas, information, and cooperation.
Her Majesty was patron of the Association of Commonwealth Universities and students around the world have benefited from the Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships set up in her name. The Queen was also connected to scholarship opportunities in Canada through the Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships programme.
The Queen was an ardent supporter of universities and of education as a force for good for humanity. Through her patronage of The Queen’s Anniversary Prizes over three decades, she celebrated and promoted the impact and benefits of higher and further education for students, communities, the economy and wider society. She also recognised the role universities play in building an understanding of different countries, cultures and the importance of global networks, exemplified by her role as patron of the Association of Commonwealth Universities.
Queen Elizabeth appreciated and supported several organisations for youth, education, higher education, cultural exchange, leadership and civic engagement. During her reign, she continually encouraged and promoted the importance of education for community change. She did this through her three decades of patronage of The Queen’s Anniversary Prizes, where UK universities and colleges were celebrated for their innovations, excellence, and public benefits annually.
Her dedication to education for all was also emphasised through the world famous the Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships (QECS) which offers outstanding opportunities to students from Commonwealth countries with low or middle-income backgrounds. The scholarships aimed at supporting students who wish to bring change in their communities, make networks globally, and experience a new culture in a new country anywhere of the geo-political world.
The Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships (QECS) were named after Her Majesty in 2019, as a fitting tribute to her immense contribution as head of the Commonwealth, and her long-standing dedication to education and youth. Her Majesty signed certificates for QECS alumni in 2021, in further recognition of the crucial role that the scheme plays in connecting people and nations across the Commonwealth.
The Queen’s Young Leaders Program tremendously helped transform the lives of the youth from every Commonwealth nation to discover, celebrate and also support the youths’ life. The program provides a once-in-a-lifetime chance for students to bring about change in their communities to extend their perspectives, experience a new culture, and create a lifelong worldwide network. Worldwide, nearly 240 people receive Queen’s Young Leaders Awards from the Queen herself.
In her honour, in 2012, Canada has also vowed to honor the memory of the Queen through the Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships program and awarded more than 2,200 students from Canada and around the world. Her Majesty contributed to promote the advancement, effects, and advantages of higher and further education for students, communities, the economy, and larger society through her three decades of patronage of the Queen’s Anniversary Prizes. Each year, UK colleges and universities are celebrated for their excellence, innovation and public benefit.
While some of her visits to universities and schools will have been ordinary activity for any monarch, it’s worth noting the occasions where Her Majesty also went above and beyond the typical call of duty. Her activity was not limited to Britain only, rather she worked for all. Outside of the UK, the Queen was also a guest at universities across the Commonwealth and wider world. On a visit to Australia in 1963, she opened the RG Menzies library at the Australian National University, saying: “Other capital cities may claim to be centres of transport or commerce or military strongholds, but let Canberra’s pride be scholarship”.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II leaves behind a remarkable legacy, having ruled for longer than any other monarch in British history and her faithful leadership in education, selfless service and voice of reassurance throughout her seventy-year reign will be remembered by generations.
These scholarships preserve and promote the enduring importance of cultural exchange, leadership and civic engagement. The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship programs are doing just that, by laying the foundation for our next generation of leaders with innovative minds and a sense of engagement. The Queen through a lifetime of service has embodied this sense of leadership and commitment. Her Majesty the Queen will be remembered as an exemplary leader and role model, and her legacy will live on through those she inspired throughout her reign, including many students, researchers and future global leaders.
In conclusion, Queen Elizabeth II won the hearts of many through her outstanding leadership qualities and will remain a source of inspiration to world leaders for the next many years. Indeed, there are numerous lessons that leaders of state, heads of government, and even organisational leaders can draw from the life and reign of the Queen. I agree with Shakespeare that “some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them”.
(The writer is educational researcher and teacher educator).
