Ex-rector to get honorary degree

Former rector Catherine Stihler MEP and Edinburgh International Book Festival founder Jenny Brown will be among the figures bestowed honorary degrees by St Andrews University.

More than 1,900 students from across the world will gather in the Fife town this month for summer graduations.

Eighty countries, from Scotland and Germany to China, Nigeria and the US, will be represented at the ceremonies in the Younger Hall from Tuesday June 26 to Friday June 29.

As ever, leading figures from the worlds of science, literature and politics will also be honoured during the week.

One familiar face will be making a return to St Andrews.

Ms Stihler, who was the university’s 52nd rector and only the second woman to hold the prestigious position, will be awarded an honorary degree on the Thursday.

Ms Brown, who was also one of the four founders of Edinburgh’s designation as the first Unesco City of Literature, will receive her degree on the Tuesday.

Also being recognised are worldrenowned bioorganic chemistry expert, Professor Satoshi Omura from the Kitasato Institute, Japan; Dr Rita Gardner, former director of the Royal Geographical Society; and Sir John Savill, vice-principal and head of the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine at Edinburgh University.

Professor Omura is widely recognised as a global expert in the field of bioorganic chemistry, particularly for the discovery, development, biosynthesis and manipulation of useful chemicals derived from naturally occurring microorganisms.

Dr Gardner served as an adviser for geography to the Secretary of State for Education and Skills and remains actively engaged with the Department for Education on geography curriculum matters.

Professor Sir Savill is a clinician scientist distinguished for his insights into the molecular processes of inflammation.

Honorary degree: Catherine Stihler.