Two days of graduation ceremonies have taken place for hundreds of University of West London (UWL) students, with four honorary degrees awarded at Twickenham Rugby Stadium.
Five ceremonies took place with the University awarding honorary degrees recognising the contributions from the worlds of politics, nursing, music and travel. Liberal Democrat peer Baroness Angela Harris of Richmond, who is also a UWL alumni, is being recognised for her long, distinguished and exceptional career in local and national politics.
Visiting Clinical Fellow in Epidemiology at UWL’s Richard Wells Research Centre Martin Kiernan is being recognised for over 30 years working in infection prevention, while Audio mastering engineer Mandy Parnell is being honoured for her work with artists including Bjork, Feist, David Gilmour, Judas Priest, The XX, Max Richter and Brian Eno.
The final honorary degree recipient Julia Lo Bue-Said who is CEO of the Advantage Travel Centres group, saw herself becoming a regular spokesperson on national TV during the Covid 18 pandemic, supporting the interests of the sector.
Professor Peter John CBE, Vice-Chancellor of UWL, said: “Graduation is about celebrating our students’ success, which has only been possible with a considerable commitment of time, energy and personal sacrifice on their part. “It is also time to reflect just how far they have come on their educational journey that has equipped them with the knowledge, skills and expertise that will set them up for their future career.”
Laurence Geller, CBE, Chancellor of the University of West London said: ‘It has been an exceptional year of growth and achievement for the University being named University of the Year for Student Experience and University of the Year for Teaching Quality in The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023. I could not be more proud of the University and these accomplishments but more than anything I am proud of its extraordinarily diverse student community which is a testament to its ethos and values.”
