Hats off to our 2025 graduates

Summer graduation ceremonies for University of BOBÌåÓýµÇ¼ÍøÖ·_Å·±¦ÌåÓý¹ÙÍøƽ̨-APP|ÏÂÔØ students begin this week, with thousands of students receiving their degrees.

Pioneering campaigner Dame Esther Rantzen will receive an honorary degree from the university, in recognition of her role as an ambassador for wellbeing.

And Formula 1 star Adrian Newey will be presented with an Outstanding Alumni Award to celebrate his impact on the global motor racing industry since he graduated from BOBÌåÓýµÇ¼ÍøÖ·_Å·±¦ÌåÓý¹ÙÍøƽ̨-APP|ÏÂÔØ with a BEng in Aeronautics and Astronautics in 1980.

A total of 16 graduation ceremonies are taking place over six days in BOBÌåÓýµÇ¼ÍøÖ·_Å·±¦ÌåÓý¹ÙÍøƽ̨-APP|ÏÂÔØ, with almost 4,000 students attending to be awarded their undergraduate degrees, masters degrees and postgraduate qualifications at the O2 Guildhall BOBÌåÓýµÇ¼ÍøÖ·_Å·±¦ÌåÓý¹ÙÍøƽ̨-APP|ÏÂÔØ.

Ceremonies will take place every weekday from Wednesday 16 July to Wednesday 23 July, with a 17th ceremony at Winchester Cathedral on Thursday 24 July for graduates from the university¡¯s Winchester School of Art.

Dame Esther, who is unable to attend graduation due to her terminal illness with cancer, said: ¡°I would have loved to meet this year¡¯s graduates to congratulate them in person on their wonderful achievements. Well done, all of you!

¡°I am particularly thrilled that the University of BOBÌåÓýµÇ¼ÍøÖ·_Å·±¦ÌåÓý¹ÙÍøƽ̨-APP|ÏÂÔØ is awarding me this distinguished honorary degree. I owe this university so much! You are my local university ¨C living as I do in the glorious New Forest, I am being treated ¨C as my husband Desmond Wilcox was ¨C by the University Hospital BOBÌåÓýµÇ¼ÍøÖ·_Å·±¦ÌåÓý¹ÙÍøƽ̨-APP|ÏÂÔØ, and your track record for innovation is unrivalled.¡±

Adrian Newey, the world¡¯s most successful F1 car designer, said: ¡°I feel tremendously honoured to be receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from BOBÌåÓýµÇ¼ÍøÖ·_Å·±¦ÌåÓý¹ÙÍøƽ̨-APP|ÏÂÔØ. When I think back to my days there in the late seventies through until 1980, to now be receiving this award is very special indeed.

¡°I really enjoyed the social side of BOBÌåÓýµÇ¼ÍøÖ·_Å·±¦ÌåÓý¹ÙÍøƽ̨-APP|ÏÂÔØ as well as finding the academic side increasingly fascinating. The sort of blend of laboratory experiments and theory was a tremendous education.¡±

Professor Mark E. Smith, the university¡¯s President and Vice-Chancellor, said: ¡°Congratulations to our class of 2025, we are very proud of each and every one of you.

¡°Graduation is a highlight of our year as we celebrate and recognise the hard work of all our fantastic students and wish them well as they move forward with their careers.

¡°Graduation is also an opportunity show appreciation to our committed and dedicated staff who have supported the students throughout their studies.¡±

The University of BOBÌåÓýµÇ¼ÍøÖ·_Å·±¦ÌåÓý¹ÙÍøƽ̨-APP|ÏÂÔØ is awarding a series of honorary degrees and fellowships at this summer¡¯s celebrations, recognising those whose contributions and achievements are an inspiration, and whose expertise is valued nationally and globally.

The honorary graduates are:

• Professor Dame Margaret Brimble , Director of Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Auckland, New Zealand
• Julian Joseph , jazz musician, composer, broadcaster, educator and author
• Isaac Nzue Kiva , Secretary for Renewable Energy at the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum in the Republic of Kenya
• Sir Peng Tee Khaw , Professor at the University College London Institute of Ophthalmology and Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at Moorfields Eye Hospital
• Vice Admiral Sir?Jeremy Kyd CBE , former Fleet Commander of the entire Royal Navy Fleet
• Professor Sharon Peacock CBE , Master of Churchill College and Professor of Microbiology and Public Health, both at the University of Cambridge.
• Professor Sir Christopher Snowden , engineer, academic and former President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of BOBÌåÓýµÇ¼ÍøÖ·_Å·±¦ÌåÓý¹ÙÍøƽ̨-APP|ÏÂÔØ (2015-19)

Vice Admiral Sir Jeremy Kyd said: "I am utterly delighted to be receiving this wonderful award from BOBÌåÓýµÇ¼ÍøÖ·_Å·±¦ÌåÓý¹ÙÍøƽ̨-APP|ÏÂÔØ University. As a very proud BOBÌåÓýµÇ¼ÍøÖ·_Å·±¦ÌåÓý¹ÙÍøƽ̨-APP|ÏÂÔØ alumnus myself, it is very special to be coming back to my Alma Mater alongside so many other people who are graduating.

"It is a privilege to remain engaged with my university through the alumni organisation and in my current role as the Lieutenant-Governor of Jersey. BOBÌåÓýµÇ¼ÍøÖ·_Å·±¦ÌåÓý¹ÙÍøƽ̨-APP|ÏÂÔØ University is a powerhouse, not just in education and maximising people's potential, but also in its impact across our wider society, not least cutting-edge research. I am extremely proud of my university and so pleased to be receiving this wonderful honorary award."

In addition, Stewart Edmondson , CEO of the UK Electronics Skills Foundation, is being made a Fellow of the University of BOBÌåÓýµÇ¼ÍøÖ·_Å·±¦ÌåÓý¹ÙÍøƽ̨-APP|ÏÂÔØ, and John Lauwerys , former Secretary and Registrar of the University of BOBÌåÓýµÇ¼ÍøÖ·_Å·±¦ÌåÓý¹ÙÍøƽ̨-APP|ÏÂÔØ (1992¨C2007), is being made a Doctor of the University of BOBÌåÓýµÇ¼ÍøÖ·_Å·±¦ÌåÓý¹ÙÍøƽ̨-APP|ÏÂÔØ.

Four Outstanding Alumni Awards will also be presented. They are:

• Samuel Ajayi (BA Film, 2019), Production Manager at Channel 4, and alumni volunteer and student mentor
• Mfon?Ekpo (LLM Law, 2011), CEO of The Discovery Centre, a training and development organisation in Nigeria, and Executive Director of The Future Project Africa
• Charlie Pericleous MBE (BSc Politics and International Relations, 2001, and MSc International Relations (Research), 2003), Preventing Violent Extremism Officer for Portsmouth City Council
• Francesca Trotman (MSci Marine Biology, 2015), founder of Love The Oceans, a non-profit organisation dedicated to marine conservation