Princess Khaliilah Khalilatul Bolqiah, daughter of HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah and HRH Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah, was awarded the Degree of Bachelor of Engineering with Honors at the University of Leicester yesterday.

Princess Khaliilah received her degree from the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leicester, Professor Sir Robert Burgess, in front of members of her family during a ceremony at De Montfort Hall, Leicester. Also in attendance were the Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Lady Jennifer Gretton, the Lord Mayor of Leicester, Councillor Abdul Osman, as well as other civic dignitaries from Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

Princess Khaliilah, who automatically becomes a member of the University of Leicester Alumni Association upon graduation, will retain a lifelong link with the university as a graduate.

Princess Khaliilah, received her award alongside hundreds of other students from the College of Science and Engineering and their families and joins more than 100,000 graduates who have received degrees from the University of Leicester since the university was granted its Royal Charter in 1957.

After the graduation ceremony, the royal party were invited to lunch with senior representatives of the University of Leicester and guests. There was also a reception in the Department of Engineering for graduating students.

Princess Khaliilah studied in the iconic, award winning, Grade 2-star Listed engineering building, designed by Sir James Stirling and James Gowan, a landmark in modern British architecture.

Dr Hans Bleijs, her academic tutor in the Department of Engineering, said: "It has been a pleasure to be Princess Khaliilah's tutor. She has been a very dedicated student who fully deserves her degree, and her pleasant character and her work ethos have made her an example for her fellow students. I wish her all the best with her further studies."

Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Robert Burgess said: "The quality of the university's graduates is one its major assets and those graduating reflect not only their personal achievements but also the University's success and high academic standards." - Borneo Bulletin (13 July 2012)