King's Birthday Honours: royal recognition for Newtownabbey professor and Carrickfergus student wellbeing champion
Two east Antrim residents have been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours for their contributions to higher education.
Professor David Jones FREng, Pharmaceutical and Biomaterial Engineering and lately Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Queen’s University Belfast, has been awarded an MBE for services to education and to pharmacy.
Commenting on the royal recognition, Professor Jones, from Newtownabbey, said: “I am both shocked and delighted to receive this great honour.
"I have the privilege to work in Queen’s University Belfast and while there, make a significant impact on the education of all students, perform research which has directly impacted both human and veterinary medicine, and built positive relationships with stakeholders in schools and further education colleges across Northern Ireland.”
Meanwhile, Claire Drummond, head of Student Wellbeing, Ulster University, receives a BEM for services to higher education.
The Carrickfergus resident, whose team delivers professional support services to thousands of students each academic year, said she was in total disbelief at the news.
Explaining more about her role, Claire said: “Our team supports students with a broad range of needs including support for mental health and wellbeing challenges, disability support, help with safe and healthy relationships as well as budgeting advice and hardship funding.
"I have worked in Ulster University for 10 years and our service and the number of students who access it have grown significantly over time.
"I was in total disbelief when I learned of being awarded on the King's Birthday Honour list. It is a huge honour to receive and I am very proud to represent Ulster University and our Student Wellbeing team.
"It was difficult to keep it a secret, but it was brilliant to watch mum and son read the official letter when the list was released, they were shocked but also very proud.”
Claire, who will be attending the investiture ceremony in Hillsborough Castle in September, has been congratulated by colleagues.
Professor Paul Bartholomew, Vice Chancellor at Ulster University, said: “The entire Ulster University community was delighted to learn that Claire has been awarded the British Empire Medal in the King’s Birthday Honours for services to higher education and we extend our warmest congratulations.
"The award is a very fitting recognition of the important contribution Claire has made and continues to make to the wellbeing of our students, and it is richly deserved.”