Sir William Stewart, President of the British Association, will be awarded an honorary degree by Principal, Professor Sir Graeme Davies, this afternoon. The ceremony marks the opening of this year's BA Festival of Science, being hosted at the University of Glasgow all this week.

Sir William is the first person to receive two honorary degrees from the University. Today he will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate of the University and ten years ago Sir William was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science degree.

Sir William has been actively involved in promoting public understanding of science and has made a significant contribution to this year's Festival theme of 'Science and Society'.

After graduating from this University in Botany, Sir William went on to become an expert in his field and has held appointments as Chief Scientific Adviser to the Cabinet Office and as the first head of the UK Office of Science and Techology.

Media Relations Office (media@gla.ac.uk)

Copies of Principal Professor Sir Graeme Davies' oration for this afternoon's ceremony are available on request from the University Press Office. Tel: 0141 330 3535

The Honorary Degree ceremony will be held in the Bute Hall at 4.30pm after Sir William has signed the Graduation Album in the Hunterian Museum at 4.10pm.

Press enquiries relating to the BA Festival of Science should be directed to the BA Press Centre on 0141 330 8100

First published: 3 September 2001