Queen Contributions to Education

On 8th September 2022, Queen Elizabeth II, Britain's longest-reigning monarch, passed away at the age of 96 years in Balmoral, Scotland. A feeling of loss and grief has enveloped the country and the world. She was a figure of strength and has left behind a legacy of empowerment. 

During her reign, she contributed to the causes that have helped shape our society today. She appreciated and supported several organisations for youth, education, cultural exchange, leadership and civic engagement.

Her Majesty was a patron of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) since 1986. Due to Her Majesty's continued assistance and patronage, the ACU continues to provide a forum for universities worldwide to share information, knowledge and ideas. 

Queen Elizabeth II was dedicated to education and youth. The Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships (QECS) offers excellent opportunities to students from low or middle-income Commonwealth countries. The scholarships provide 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.

Universities Canada vows to honour the memory of the Queen by continuing the Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships programme. The QES program was created to improve global talent exchange between Canada and other nations.

The Queen's Young Leaders Programme set out to discover, celebrate and support exceptional young people from every Commonwealth nation who transformed their own lives and the lives of those around them. 

The 4-year long programme created a network of promising individuals to mentor. Around 240 young people have received Queen's Young Leaders Awards from the Queen herself.

The Queen's Young Leaders Programme winners took a one-year-long leadership course online. This course was from The University of Cambridge's Institute of Continuing Education and received one-to-one mentoring support.

Her Majesty honoured and promoted the 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.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II leaves behind an extraordinary legacy. She had always led with a quiet resolve and unwavering dedication. Now we move forward with a resolution to keep this passion for education and learning alive.