President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leicester, Professor Sir Nishan Canagrajah, has officially received his knighthood from King Charles III during an investiture ceremony on July 7, 2926. The honour recognises his outstanding contributions to higher education and his commitment to championing inclusion, diversity, and equal opportunities across the education sector.
Professor Nishan Canagarajah was named in the 2026 King’s New Year Honours list earlier this year. This investiture ceremony marked the formal presentation of the honour that allows to officially carry the title “Sir”.
Sri Lankan-born Professor
Professor Sir Nishan is originally from Sri Lanka, and he pursued his higher education at the University of Cambridge before building his esteemed career in the United Kingdom. He joined the University of Leicester in 2019. Before he joined there, Professor Sir Nishan held several senior leadership positions at the University of Bristol and earned international recognition for his research in engineering and signal processing.
University of Leicester has stated that, as the first Vice-Chancellor from a minority ethnic background, he has played a significant role in strengthening the institution’s global reputation in teaching, research and innovation. He also promoted a culture of equality and opportunity.
The university has stated that his knighthood stands as recognition of both his academic achievements and his lasting impact on higher education in the United Kingdom. The recognition celebrates decades of leadership in higher education and his efforts to make universities more inclusive and accessible to people from all backgrounds.
Speaking after the ceremony, Sir Nishan described the occasion as a deeply humbling experience. He said the honour reflected the collective dedication of colleagues, students and supporters who had worked alongside him throughout his career. He also expressed gratitude to his family for their continuous encouragement and support.
Source: University of Leicester
