Val Mcdermid and Mark Beaumont set to receive honorary degrees

Crime writer Val Mcdermid and endurance cyclist Mark Beaumont are to be honoured by the Open University. They will receive honorary degrees today along with educationalist Dame Ruth Silver and teacher and educational psychologist Graham Cameron.

Almost 500 Open University graduates from across Scotland will receive their awards at two ceremonies in Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall.

Ms Mcdermid is being honoured for services to the arts and sciences. She said: “Life should always be a learning 0 Author Val Mcdermid to be honoured by Open University

curve, and the Open University (OU) makes it possible for people to expand their horizons at any point in their lives.”

Mr Beaumont last year broke the record for travelling around the world on a bike, accomplishing the feat in 79 days. The cyclist, who is rector of Dundee University, is being honoured for public services.

He said: “It’s a great honour to be recognised by The Open University and I am looking forward to celebrating alongside all those graduating.

“My first connection with the OU came through my sister Heather, who studied psychology and loved the fact she could gain a degree while living and working abroad.

“The world is changing fast and the OU is leading the way when it comes to flexible higher education.”