FEATURES
IN MEMORY OF HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE PHILIP, THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH Earlier this year we were saddened to hear of the passing of our former Chancellor, His Royal Highness Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh. HRH Prince Philip served as the first University Chancellor from 1967-1991. The Chancellor is the ceremonial head of the University and plays an important ambassadorial role, presiding over the University’s graduation ceremonies and acting as an advocate for its achievements. Prince Philip remained in post for 24 years and is the longest serving Chancellor in the University’s history. During his time as Chancellor, Prince Philip was a passionate advocate for education and helping young people from Greater Manchester achieve their dreams. Philip became the University's first chancellor in 1967, and it quickly became clear that his modern approach to education aligned with our own. "We meet together here with all the display of ceremonial, and almost knee-deep in robes and ritual," he told the audience in his inaugural speech. "But if this symbolism is not to be empty and meaningless, each one of us must feel a personal involvement and a personal ambition to give the University of Salford a sense of its own particular mission." He added: "A university is not just a brain factory, a sort of conveyor belt for PhDs. Neither is it a place to go for its own sake. It is a means to an end and not an end in itself.” The Duke maintained a close interest in the University in recent times, with occasional guest lectures and regular visits, including the official opening of the University's building at MediaCityUK March 2012 during the Queen's Diamond Jubilee tour. Prince Philip’s legacy lives on at the University of Salford and we are immensely grateful for the influence and guidance he generously gave to us during his life.
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