News

Maggie Cheung and Irina Bokova honoured

Hong Kong actress and UNESCO Director General honoured at summer graduations.

Leading Chinese actress and UNICEF ambassador Maggie Cheung has been awarded an honorary degree in the University’s summer graduation.

She was awarded the degree Doctor honoris causa at a ceremony in the McEwan Hall on Friday, 1 July.

Also receiving a Doctor honoris causa at this year’s summer graduations was UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova.

Mrs Bokova, who was the first woman and first Eastern European to lead UNESCO, received her degree at a ceremony on the McEwan Hall on Wednesday 29 June.

Edinburgh connection

Ms Cheung has starred in more than 70 films, drawing particular praise for her roles in In the Mood for Love and Hero.

In April 2010 she was appointed UNICEF Ambassador to China.

She is known in Edinburgh, having opened the Cinema China festival in 2007.

Image Gallery

Click an image to view the full size version.

Other honorary graduates

Katherine Grainger was presented with the degree of Doctor honoris causa.

Katherine Grainger

On Monday 4 July an honorary degree was awarded to Katherine Grainger, three-time Olympic rowing silver medallist and Edinburgh alumna.

Olivia Giles

Olivia Giles, the founder and Chief Executive of the 500 miles charity which supports amputees and other disabled people in Malawi and Zambia, received an honorary degree on Friday, 1 July.

Full list of honorary graduates

The full list of honorary graduates can be found on our registry website.

Honorary graduates

Benefactor Award

On Tuesday 5 July Ronald Storey was presented with a University Benefactor award.

Mr Storey donated £1.26 million to the University, honouring a pledge he made to life-long friend, Edinburgh graduate Dr George Birtwisle.

These funds will play a major part in the creation of a new imaging centre at the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine.

The award recognises people or organisations that have made significant contributions to the University.

Graduation ceremonies

Full details of all our Summer graduation ceremonies are available from our Registry website.

Graduation ceremonies

Photography credits: Graduations: Douglas Roberston. Katherine Grainger: Paul Edwards.