Vice-Chancellor honoured

Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Riordan has been honoured with an Honorary Degree from the University of Essex. The honour is in recognition of his contribution to higher education, not only within the UK, but also internationally.

In his roles as Vice-President of Universities UK and Chair of Higher Education Wales, Professor Riordan is active in promoting and advancing the role of UK universities abroad. He is also Chair of the UK Higher Education International Unit, and is a member of the International Education Council.

The Honorary Degree also recognises the work undertaken by Professor Riordan to transform the University of Essex during his five-year tenure as Vice-Chancellor, prior to joining Cardiff University.

Professor Riordan said: "It is a great honour to accept this Honorary Degree from an institution which holds many special memories for me, and has played a pivotal role in my career. It is wonderful to be able to accept this honour in the same week in which I have celebrated the achievements of thousands of students at Cardiff."

Professor Riordan moved to Essex from Newcastle University, where he had been Pro Vice-Chancellor and Provost of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences since August 2005. He joined Cardiff University as Vice-Chancellor in 2012.

Other individuals awarded Honorary Degrees from the University of Essex this year included digital skills champion Baroness Lane-Fox, co-founder of lastminute.com, historian Dr John Ashdown-Hill, and film director Dr Jan Pinkava.