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Rolf Harris to receive Honorary Doctorate of the University of East London - 8 November

Tuesday 6 November 2007

Rolf Harris CBE will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate of the University of East London (UEL) on the afternoon of Thursday 8 November 2007. Lord Rix, Chancellor of the University of East London, will present Mr Harris with his award, and doctoral gown and mortarboard, at the Barbican Hall in the City of London, at a graduation ceremony for students of UEL's School of Education.

Susan Price, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of UEL, will deliver the Citation, and Rolf Harris will respond with a short speech.

Rolf Harris' connections with the University of East London date back to 2003, when he began using the Fabric Print and Design Bureau, part of UEL's Knowledge Dock enterprise development service, to create digital designs for some of his new work, including the green ‘signature’ shirts he wore on the occasion of his 50th anniversary show on BBC1.

In February 2007, Rolf and Alwen Harris were among guests at the Royal opening of UEL's new Business School and Knowledge Dock Centre at Docklands campus by Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh. They helped UEL art students and young people from local schools create a series of live sketches of the event, which were printed and presented to Her Majesty on the day.

Rolf Harris joins a distinguished group of honorary graduates of the University of East London, which includes Damon Albarn, Harold Pinter, Billy Bragg, Benjamin Zephaniah, Terence Stamp, Rachel Whiteread, Baroness Ashton, Baroness Scotland, Lord Adebowale, Baroness Greenfield, David Lammy MP, Reeta Chakrabarti, Tony Robinson, Honor Blackman, Rita Sharma and Sir Willard White.

Ends/.

For details and pictures contact Patrick Wilson: 020 8223 2061 or 07951 797 975

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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