The Princess Royal commissioned the multi-million Engineering and Computing building at Coventry University on the 8th of February. Princess Anne, who arrived at around 10.40am with her accompanying entourage was received by the vice-chancellor of Coventry University, Professor Madeleine Atkins, the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, the High Sheriff of West Midlands; Mr Stewart Towe and the clerk of West Midlands Lieutenancy; Mr martin Tunstall.
It is just over ten years ago when her Royal Highness opened the library building which sits just next door to the new engineering building. After a tour in parts of the building, she was taken to the flight simulator centre which is name after Dr Majid AlSadi; one of Coventry University’s highest achieving alumni. She was welcome by Professor Mike Blundell, other members of staff and two aviation students Joshua Holmes and Ana-Maria Cotofan.
Joshua Holmes caught wind of the visit weeks ago when he was invited to one of the lecturer’s office for top secret chat. When asked about his conversation with the Princess Royal Joshua said: “My heart was pounding at first, however she was very friendly to talk to and that put me at ease.”
Ana-Maria Cotofan described her conversation with Princess Anne as a very quick one but she was happy. Adding: “She asked about what I was doing at the control desk and I explained how important it is for aviation students to understand air traffic control.”
The Princess Royal was then accompanied to EC1-29 where a crowd of about 150 including invited guests, staff and students were waiting for the unveiling of the plaque. In her address to the audience, Professor Madeline Atkins expressed her thanks to the Garfield Weston Foundation and the Wolfson Foundation for their generous grants towards the cost of the building. She added: “I’m delighted that we have been able to name the two lecture theatres downstairs to recognise their contribution.
Professor Atkins also thanked the Sir William Lyons Trust and the 29th of May 1961 charitable trust who have been generous in the way they have given money and support to students in the faculty.
Officially opening the building, the Princess Royal said: “Thank you for showing me some of the work you do here. I know it’s just a little of it but its all exciting stuff. All that technology progresses at such speed and this building will need to maintain that level of speed.”
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