Thank you to Queen Mary University of London for the invitation to the Company to the celebration of 240 years of education and research on 9 July 2024. The Water Conservation Trust sponsors a bursary and dissertation prize for students on the MSc in Water and Environmental Management course at Queen Mary. Eileen Bigg and Past Master, Professor Martin Bigg, were pleased to accept the invitation.
Queen Mary’s proud, distinctive history is built on four historic institutions, the oldest of which was founded in 1785. The Founders’ Day event was a chance to recognise and celebrate the research and education excellence of Queen Mary today, and to remember the history and heritage that has cultivated this success over the last two centuries and beyond.
The visit began with a tour of part of the campus, hearing its history and visiting the Novo Cemetery (a very old cemetery formerly used by Sephardic Jews), the highly successful Legal Advice Centre, and, perhaps somewhat surprisingly, the astronomical observatory, which, despite London’s light pollution, managed to capture some beautiful and spectacular images.
The main event took place in the Octagon, a stunning space, originally the Queen Mary Library. Here honorary degrees were awarded to four alumni who have gone on to achieve great success in their field.
- Dr Nighat Arif, a GP who has appeared regularly on breakfast television, and champions women’s health
- Simon Borrows, an investment banker and CEO of 3i
- Jamie Crummie, co-founder of “Too Good To Go”, an organisation which ‘rescues’ surplus meals from restaurants, hotels and supermarkets that have not been sold, providing customers with great food at a low cost while reducing environmental impact of food waste
- Navjot Sawhney, humanitarian engineer and founder of the Washing Machine Project, which provides hand-cranked washing machines to people in developing countries
Their stories were fascinating; their vision and commitment outstanding.
The Washing Machine Project is of particular interest to Water Conservators. Navjot says: More than half the world’s population is crying out for innovative solutions to help in their everyday lives and it’s engineers who have the power to help people.
The formal proceedings over, we were offered drink and food, while live jazz was played. A most interesting evening on a very warm night.
Eileen Bigg
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