Stephen Timms, MP for East Ham and Minister of e-commerce at the Department of Trade and Industry, has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Education from the University of East London.
Mr Timms was among several hundred graduates from the East London Business School to be awarded their degrees by University Chancellor Lord Rix at a ceremony held on Wednesday 20th November at the Barbican Hall in the City of London.
In his speech to the packed audience of graduates and their families, Stephen Timms said: "Last time I was here in this hall was when my wife graduated with a degree from this university in 1988 - and we've all come a long way since then. The new UEL campus at Docklands - the first to be built in London for half a century - is a powerful demonstration that our changing economy demands new skills and knowledge. East London is a special place with a bright future, and I am sure many of you will be playing your part in the great changes ahead of us."
Carole Snee, Director of External Relations at UEL said: "Stephen Timms is that rare breed, a politician who understands and values technology, and he has shown an unusual vision and persistence. He is a passionate advocate of partnership working in East London, and has had a central role in bringing to this area important regeneration projects such as the international rail link at Stratford, which he has patiently lobbied for over the past two decades. I am delighted here is here today to be honoured by the university."
Honorary doctorates in Arts and Technology respectively were awarded to eminent anthropologist Professor Mary Douglas, and Professor Zuo Taiyong, President of Beijing University of Technology. Twenty graduates had made the trip from Beijing with Professor Zuo, as the university has a developing academic partnership with UEL. The loudest applause of the ceremony was given to Professor Mary Douglas, now aged 81, who has written some of the most influential books in the social sciences. She said: "This is a wonderful day for me and I am thrilled and proud to have a degree from UEL. I have been to hundreds of these ceremonies and this is a good one. The graduates are most charming and gracious, but before I congratulate them I must congratulate their parents - and before that, their grandparents!"
The East London Business School is based at the UEL Barking Campus, and at Duncan House in Stratford. The School teaches over 2,000 students on undergraduate degree programmes in all aspects of business, Postgraduate programmes including MBAs, and accredited professional examinations. Graham Curtis, Head of the East London Business School, said: "Our students come from an incredibly diverse range of backgrounds, but what they all have in common is hard work and dedication. Most of our students combine the challenge of university-level study with jobs and family responsibilities, and we are tremendously proud of what they have achieved."
The ceremony was the fourth of five to be held this month, with over 2,000 students in total graduating from UEL.
Ends/.
For more details and pictures, contact Patrick Wilson, Press Officer, UEL Phone: 020 8223 2061 Fax: 020 8223 2900 Mobile: 07951 797 975
Thurs 31 October: Art & Design, Culture & Innovation
Weds 6th November: Architecture, Education & Community Studies, Social Sciences
Tues 12th November: Health Sciences, Psychology
Weds 20th November: East London Business School, Information Technology
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The University of East London is a modern university at the forefront of academic innovation. Its mission is to provide the highest possible quality of education, training, research and consultancy to meet the needs of individuals, communities and enterprises in our region.
East London Business School is based at the UEL Barking Campus, and at Duncan House in Stratford. The School teaches over 2,000 students on undergraduate degree programmes in all aspects of business, Postgraduate programmes including MBAs, and accredited professional examinations. Research, consultancy and management training all form a strong and growing part of the school's activities. With over 90 staff members engaged in teaching, lecturing and research, expertise exists across the complete spectrum of business management. The school has particular strengths in: management accounting, marketing, human resource management, information systems, business policy and education management.
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