The vice-chancellor of the University of Essex has spoken of the college's shock after this week's Colchester murder victim was named as student Nahid Almanea.
Professor Anthony Forster expressed the university's "deepest condolences" to Nahid's family, while head of the international academy Richard Barnard said she was a "hard-working" and "conscientious" student.
Nahid was found collapsed in Avon Way on Tuesday morning (June 17) with multiple stab wounds.
It is believed she left her home in Woodrow Way and was making her way across Avon Way into the Salary Brook Trail.
Professor Forster said: "On behalf of the entire University community, I express our deepest condolences to Nahid's family and friends following this devastating loss.
"We have students and staff here from over 130 countries and are proud of our genuinely global community.
"We are committed to ensuring that all our students and staff are being fully supported by the University."
Mr Barnard said Nahid was a student on the Essex English Language Programme, which develops students' English language skills.
He said: "Nahid joined this programme and was a very hard-working and conscientious student, who was making excellent progress.
"She was a quiet, considerate and well-respected member of the programme and had ambitions to move on to further academic study.
"She will be greatly missed by her teachers and her fellow students."
The university has also reminded students of its helpline, on 01206 874333, and 24-hour security unit in the campus.
Detectives have flooded the Avon Way area since Tuesday and believe the suspected murder could be racially motivated.
A full statement from the university reads: "It is with great shock and deep sadness that our close community receives the news of the tragic death of our student Nahid Almanea.
"Nahid came to the University from Saudi Arabia to study on the Essex English Language Programme at the International Academy, and was due to finish her studies in August.
Nahid died on Tuesday 17 June following a serious incident in the Greenstead area of Colchester.
"Our thoughts are now with Nahid's family, friends and teachers during this extremely difficult time.
"The University continues to help police with their enquiries, and we have been advised by police that a man has been arrested in connection with the incident."
Anyone with any information that could assist the enquiry is asked to contact the Major Investigation Team on 01245 282103, Essex Police on 101 or they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
