Architect and pop star to share stage for accolade

UNIVERSITY: Honorary degrees for V&A mastermind and Snow Patrol singer

The architect behind the new £80 million V&A museum is among those to be honoured by Dundee University.

The waterfront building’s mastermind, Kengo Kuma, is one of 10 prominent figures to be awarded an honorary degree by the university later this month alongside thousands of graduates.

The Japanese architect has been widely praised for his vision in creating the focal-point of the city’s £1 billion waterfront transformation and is also behind the Tokyo 2020 National Olympic Stadium.

Also recognised will be Gary Lightbody, lead singer of the band Snow Patrol who were formed in the city in the mid-1990s.

The band has gone on to sell millions of albums worldwide and has headlined some of the UK’S biggest festivals.

Professor Sir Pete Downes, principal and vice-chancellor of the university, said the honorary graduates are all “extraordinary” examples in their respective fields.

He said: “Our honorary graduates are all inspirational figures who have made great impact in their fields, from founding charities and carrying out groundbreaking research, to designing landmark buildings and reaching the highest levels of the legal world.

“I am particularly pleased that once again we are able to honour those who studied here at Dundee and have gone on to such great things.

“Our aim is to enable our graduates to make a difference in the world, and these people have all done that in an extraordinary fashion.”

Among the others to be honoured is the university’s former chancellor Lord Naren Patel. An obstetrician and crossbench peer, he stepped down from his role at the university last year after 11 years.

The first non-white judge at the Old Bailey, Anuja Dhir, will also be honoured having graduated from Dundee University in 1988.

Ms Dhir is also the youngest person to hold the position in the UK’S central criminal court.

The ceremonies will take place over three days from Wednesday June 20 to Friday June 22 at the Caird Hall.

jkeith@thecourier.co.uk

Picture: Steven Brown. Marta and Stanley Reeves examine the graffiti in Dundee which even includes a tribute to architect Kengo Kuma.

Snow Patrol’s Gary Lightbody is recognised by university.