The University of Glasgow is to celebrate its annual Commemoration Day on Wednesday June 16 2004 by conferring honorary degrees on eight distinguished persons, four men and four women.

Dr Mamphela Ramphele will receive the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters (DLitt). In September 1996, she became the first black woman to hold the position of Vice Chancellor in a South African university. She is currently one of the four Managing Directors of the World Bank leading the Bank's policy framework on the social dimension of global banking including human rights. Dr Ramphele has been highly commended for her commitment to raising awareness of development issues in the most disadvantaged areas of her native South Africa.

Professor Durward William John Cruickshank and Professor Sir Edwin M Southern will each receive the honorary degree of Doctor of Science (DSc) for their notable contributions to science and technology. Professor Cruickshank's work has been acknowledged as having a profound effect on the development of modern X-ray analysis. Professor Southern is the 2004 winner of the Bioanalytics Award which recognises his contribution in making the DNA chip a central instrument not only in genetics and genomics but also in biology and medicine as a whole. The achievements which have paved the way for much of the gene mapping carried out today is in no small measure due to the invention and vision of Professor Southern.

Sir Graeme Davies, former Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Glasgow from 1995 to 2003 and now Vice-Chancellor of the University of London, will receive the honorary degree of Doctor of the University (DUniv) in recognition of his invaluable contribution to the University during his tenure as Principal. Over his eight years in office, Sir Graeme saw the reputation of the University further enhanced as a world leader in research and teaching.

Baroness Prashar of Runnymede will receive the honorary degree of Doctor of the University (DUniv). She was appointed as the First Civil Service Commissioner in August 2000. In addition, Baroness Prashar has been involved in a number of activities concerned with social policy, criminal justice and race relations.

Baroness Meta Ramsay of Cartvale, Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords, will receive the honorary degree of Doctor of the University (DUniv). A Glasgow graduate, Baroness Ramsay enjoyed a successful career in the Diplomatic Service spanning some 22 years, with appointments in Stockholm and Helsinki. She was subsequently Foreign Policy Adviser to her old university friend John Smith, and was politically active with other contemporaries from her university days, so many of whom went on to distinguished political careers.

Professor Susan Shaw, Vice-Principal, University of Strathclyde, will receive the honorary degree of Doctor of the University (DUniv). A member of the senior management team at Strathclyde since 1995, Professor Shaw has spearheaded Strathclyde's partnership with the University of Glasgow through the successful Synergy initiative

Peter Wood CBE, founder of Direct Line Insurance and Chairman of Esure, will receive the honorary degree of Doctor of the University (DUniv). Acknowledged as one of the UK's most successful and innovative businessmen, Wood has maintained a long association with Scotland. Often seen as the person responsible for revolutionising the car insurance industry, Wood has already created over 2,500 jobs in Glasgow alone with plans for further expansion.

The Commemoration Day Ceremony will take place in the Bute Hall, University of Glasgow and begins at 11.15am.

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

Copies of complete orations available from the University of Glasgow Press Office

Press / cameras will be admitted to the gallery of the Bute Hall and should enter by turret G before 11.15am

There will be informal photo opportunities at the end of the Commemoration Ceremony at approximately 12.30 in the East Quad.

For further details please contact the press office on 0141 330 3535 / 3683

Full text of orations available from Wednesday morning

First published: 11 June 2004