School of Mathematics

Alumna 80th birthday celebration

On Monday 20th January the School of Mathematics was proud to host a celebration of the 80th birthday of alumna Patricia Hiddleston (née Wallace). Patricia graduated in 1956, the only woman in her class and the only person that year to win the Napier medal for her outstanding examination results. Since graduation she has been an inspirational figure in the lives of many people, working as a maths teacher and university lecturer in schools across Africa and going on to become an independent education consultant throughout the developing world.

You can read more about Patricia's amazing life story on the University of Edinburgh's Alumni Profile page and also on the Voices: Commonwealth women and education blog.

At the age of 80 she shows no sign of slowing down and is now considering becoming involved with AIMS, the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, which is a pan-African centre for post-graduate training and research, with very strong links to the Scottish universities.

 

Speaking at the event on Monday, Patricia said

"Thank you so much for giving me one of the best days of my life. To see so many people with links to my past, and talk with the mathematicians working at the University today, was a great pleasure and privilege."

Happy birthday Patricia!