Canadian PM receives honorary degree
The Prime Minister of Canada, The Rt Hon Justin Trudeau, has been awarded an honorary degree at the University.
Mr Trudeau received the degree of Doctor honoris causa at the newly refurbished McEwan Hall prior to being received in audience by Her Majesty The Queen at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.
The award, which was presented by University's Principal and Vice Chancellor, Professor Sir Timothy O'Shea, is in recognition of Mr Trudeau's achievements as a public servant with strong commitments to equality and diversity.
Good advice
Mr Trudeau encouraged the graduating students to learn from their failures as well as their successes as they embarked on life after university.
If something excites you a lot and scares you a little, you should probably do it, he told them.
He urged the students to be bold, be brave, be open to the incredible opportunities in front of them, and to be the best versions of themselves.
It is a pleasure to be here today and to be invited to address you. It is an even greater pleasure to receive this honorary degree and a privilege to take to this stage.
Strong ties
To mark the 150th anniversary of Confederation, the Prime Minister has been visiting Ireland and the UK in recognition of the strong family ties, history and common purpose that both countries share with Canada.
Proposing Mr Trudeau for the award of the degree, the Director of the University's Centre of Canadian Studies, Dr James Kennedy, wished the Prime Minister a belated Happy Canada Day.
On 1st July, Canada celebrated 150 years of Confederation and, in light of the strong ties between Scotland and Canada, I can think of no better moment for the University of Edinburgh to honour the values that Canada embodies than by conferring this Honorary Doctorate on Mr Trudeau.
Images © Neil Hanna)