A Legacy of Leadership:
Honouring His Highness with the Inaugural Chancellor’s Medal.
Honouring His Highness with the Inaugural Chancellor’s Medal.
The University of Exeter was profoundly honoured to present His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council of the UAE and Ruler of Sharjah, with the inaugural Chancellor’s Medal in a special ceremony in July 2025.
This prestigious award, presented by Chancellor Sir Michael Barber, celebrates four decades of His Highness’s visionary leadership, extraordinary generosity, and unwavering commitment to education and international collaboration. The medal recognises the transformative impact he has made on the life and work of the University, an impact that began 40 years ago when His Highness graduated from Exeter with a PhD.
His Highness’s visionary support has catalysed wide-ranging collaborations in humanities, education, and science, deepening a transformative partnership with Sharjah that has flourished with the University of Exeter.
The personal impact of this generosity was powerfully voiced by Martha Holden, a recent graduate from the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, who delivered a note of thanks at the ceremony on behalf of the student community:
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to His Highness for your generous support, which has had a profound impact on my educational journey. Without your support, I would not have had the opportunity to travel, to explore different cultures, to learn about religion, and to understand the subtle differences between dialects. All these experiences have opened new horizons for me and helped me deepen my engagement with the Arabic language”.
Aerial view of the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies on Streatham Campus.
His Highness unveiling the foundation stone for the new Al Qasmi Building.
During his visit, His Highness unveiled the foundation stone for the new Al Qasimi Building, funded by a transformational philanthropic donation to his alma mater. He also met with students from the University of Khorfakkan who were completing a marine summer programme at our Devon and Cornwall campuses – a living testament to the vibrant academic exchange this partnership fosters.
Professor Lisa Roberts, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Exeter says, “I am truly delighted that the University of Exeter can bestow the Chancellor’s Medal to His Highness Sheikh Sultan. This award reflects the enduring friendship, impact and partnership between Exeter and Sharjah over the past 40 years.
“It is an honour to be able to welcome His Highness back to Exeter once again and share our pride in how this partnership has continued to grow from strength-to-strength. This award recognises His Highness’s vision, leadership and generosity towards Exeter, our research community and students”.
The inaugural Chancellor’s Medal celebrates the profound, transformational power of philanthropy, honouring His Highness not only as an exceptional global leader but also as a visionary benefactor.
Watch the Chancellor’s Medal video:
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