Health Sciences University (HSU) has celebrated its official launch with the installation of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal as the university’s inaugural Chancellor. Part of Wessex Health Partners, HSU is one of four universities in the Wessex-wide alliance.
Professor Lesley Haig, Vice-Chancellor of Health Sciences University, commented: “Our ambition is clear: to meet the evolving needs of the healthcare sector, equipping the next generation of health professionals with cutting-edge knowledge, practical skills and compassionate care. Our vision is to establish Health Sciences University as a highly valued institution within the health and care sector, a trusted partner, and a cornerstone in the communities we serve, both locally and beyond.”
Wessex Health Partners
As a founding partner of Wessex Health Partners (WHP), Health Sciences University brings highly valued expertise and experience to our regional Academic Health Science Partnership. Working together we combine excellence in health and care research, innovation, education and delivery, and unite academics with clinicians and healthcare professionals across the region to advance improvements in health and care for patients, and wider society.
Christine McGrath, Managing Director of Wessex Health Partners, said: "It was a pleasure and privilege to join colleagues in celebrating the launch of Health Sciences University and the installation of HRH The Princess Royal as Chancellor. The occasion honoured a significant milestone as HSU achieves their ambition to be a leading academic institution in health sciences. It is wonderful to work with an organization so firmly committed to partnership and collaboration. By working closely with HSU, we are seeing exciting new collaborations across the region which will deliver much improved health and care in the future."
Milestone Celebrations
Following the installation ceremony, HRH The Princess Royal visited Health Sciences University Bournemouth campus and spent time meeting with students, staff, patients and healthcare professionals. To commemorate the occasion, HRH The Princess Royal unveiled a specially commissioned plaque, marking the official launch of Health Sciences University.
Monika Barnes, Health Sciences University’s Chair of the Board of Governors, said: “Today is a landmark in our university’s journey as we proudly embrace our new identity as Health Sciences University. This title is more than just a name; it represents our steadfast dedication to advancing healthcare, education and research. We have the distinction of being the only named health sciences university in the UK and with this comes a renewed sense of purpose and possibility.
“We are truly delighted and honoured that Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal has chosen to join us in this role, and we look forward to the future with optimism and confidence in what we can achieve together.”
