Commemoration Day this year saw distinguished figures across a range of sectors honoured for their distinguished conbtributions.

They included Sabir Zazai, Chief Executive of the Scottish Refugee Council, whose father - Muhammad Zahir - was initially refused a visa by the Home Office to travel to his son's honorary graduation.  However, the family's joy was evident on the special day for them all, after a second application to the Home Office was successful and Mr Zazir was able to travel from his home in Afghanistan to Scotland.

Sabir Zazai video

Kevin Sneader, who graduated in 1988 with a first class Honours LL.B, was back in Bute Hall to become an honorary doctor of the University. He is now Global Managing Partner of the consultancy company McKinsey & Co. and is one of the most influential figures in the world of business.  He was accompanied by his parents, Myrna and Walter Sneader, who met in 1957 while students at Glasgow.

Kevin Sneader

Two hundred years after the death of James Watt, the University of Glasgow  honoured four distinguished scientists on Commemoration Day.

Dr John (Iain) Glen, founder of Glen Pharma Ltd, received an Honorary Doctorate of Science (DSc) for his discovery and development of propofol – a chemical whose rapid action and freedom from residual effects have made it the most widely-used agent for induction of anaesthesia in patients throughout the world. He studied veterinary medicine at the University of Glasgow and on graduation specialised in veterinary anaesthesia. Mark Logan, a technologist and business leader who, as its Chief Operating Officer, helped to lead Skyscanner to a £1.5bn acquisition by C-trip in 2016, also received a D.Sc.

Doctorates of Engineering were awarded to Craig Clark, founder of Clyde Space, which has helped establish Glasgow as a leading international centre for space technology; and to Karen Dinardo, a highly-respected Civil Engineer who is currently the first female President of the Institute of Engineers and Shipbuilders in Scotland.

Bernard Higgins, Chairman of the Board of the National Galleries of Scotland, became a DUniv, while Sir Iain MacLeod, Legal Adviser to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, received an Honorary LLD (Doctor of Laws) and Katharine Viner, Editor-in-Chief of The Guardian newspaper, received an Honorary Doctor of Letters (DLitt).

 

 

 

 

 

First published: 17 June 2019

<< 17 June 2019