Professor Alison Richard, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, was in Belfast today to receive an Honorary Degree from Queen's University.

At this morning's graduation ceremony she was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Social Sciences for distinction in social sciences and for services to higher education.

In her graduation address, she said: “It is a proud, exciting, and amazing moment to be so honoured by this distinguished University - for Queen's has a tremendous reputation: in its 100-year history it has placed itself in the top handful of universities in the UK, and the UK system of higher education, in turn, is one of the most successful and most vibrant in the world. In celebrating 100 years of history and distinction, Queen's is celebrating its full and leading contribution to this success.

“The pride I feel today is that UK universities, with Queen's to the forefront, are a real asset to our society and to the world, and to receive an honorary degree here is to be honoured indeed.”

Delivering the citation, Queen's Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Gregson said Professor Richard's achievements were publicly acknowledged last year when Cambridge was awarded the coveted Sunday Times University of the Year title.

He added: “In its editorial, the newspaper said that Cambridge's ability to compete on an equal footing with much richer American institutions is a tribute to its financial efficiency and its intellectual capacity. It is also a tribute to its Vice-Chancellor.

“The newspaper also said that the award recognised not only how Cambridge was tackling current issues but how it was building for a future where it will continue to be a dominant force in world academia. Under the direction of Professor Richard there is no doubt that this will happen.

“At Queen's University our mission to enhance our position as a world-class centre of excellence in research and education is articulated in three simple words — leading, inspiring, delivering.

“These words could also be used to describe our honorary graduand. As a distinguished researcher and as an academic leader of international stature, she has led, inspired and delivered.”

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