Founder of addiction charity among those receiving University of Derby honorary degrees

The founder of a charity supporting people recovering from alcohol or substance addiction, the manager of the Derby Bosnia Herzegovina Centre, and a senior RAF officer and engineer, are among those who will receive Honorary Degrees from the University of Derby later this month.

Each year notable people with a strong connection to the University or the city are chosen to receive an Honorary Degree at the Awards Ceremonies, when the University’s students graduate.

Thousands of graduates, guests and VIPs are expected to attend the ceremonies which take place from Wednesday 16 November to Friday 18 November at Derby Arena.

The recipients of the Honorary Degrees are:

• Jaz Rai OBE – founder and chair of the Sikh Recovery Network (Honorary Master of the University)
• Ferid Kevric – Project and Centre Manager of the Derby Bosnia Herzegovina Centre (Honorary Master of the University)
• Air Marshal Sir Richard Knighton KCB FREng – senior RAF officer and engineer (Honorary Doctor of the University)
• Stephen Layton MBE – Derby-born conductor, founder and director of Polyphony, one of the world’s leading choirs (Honorary Doctor of Music)
• Jane Ide OBE – Derbyshire-based CEO of the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (Honorary Doctor of the University)

Professor Kathryn Mitchell CBE DL, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Derby, said: “Graduation is such an important milestone for our students, their families and guests. It is the culmination of years of hard work and provides an opportunity for our students to reflect on what they have achieved and celebrate the efforts they have put into their studies during their time at university.

“It is also an opportunity to recognise and thank those who have helped contribute to our University, city and county, through the awarding of Honorary Degrees. The positive impact that this year’s honorands have made is significant, so we are delighted to be able to acknowledge that. Congratulations to everyone that will be graduating; we cannot wait to celebrate with you.”