News

Archbishop of Canterbury receives honorary degree

(11 January 2008)

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, is one of three major public figures obtaining honorary degrees from Durham University this year.

Durham University graduates Professor John Barrow, a cosmologist at Cambridge University, and Professor Sheikha Abdulla Ali Al-Misnad, President of Qatar University and a leader of educational reform in Qatar, have also received accolades at the University’s winter congregation ceremonies this week. The Archbishop was made Doctor of Divinity on January 11, whilst the day before, January 10, Prof Barrow received a Doctor of Science degree and Professor Al-Misnad received a Doctor of Civil Law degree. Also whilst in Durham, Professor Al-Misnad signed a Memorandum of Understanding between Durham and Qatar universities. An honorary degree is the highest accolade a University can bestow, and only a small number are awarded by Durham to major achievers on the world stage who have strong Durham links. The accolades were awarded at a traditional ceremony with University staff and students in Durham Cathedral. Professor Chris Higgins, Vice Chancellor of Durham University, said: “Durham University not only promotes the pursuit of excellence - it also rewards it. “These honorary graduates have had remarkable impacts in their fields of expertise and have strong links to Durham University. “We are pleased and privileged to be able to celebrate their achievements in Durham.” Dr Williams commented: “I am honoured and delighted to be receiving an honorary degree from Durham. “Many members of the Theology Department at Durham have been mentors and examples to me over the years and I am glad to be associated with such a flourishing and creative intellectual environment.” The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Durham and Qatar universities was signed at a ceremony with Durham’s Professor Higgins and Professor Sheikha Abdulla Ali Al-Misnad on Thursday January 10. The MOU will strengthen research links between the two universities, initially in international relations and Islamic studies but extending also into education, geography and environmental sciences, law, finance and energy. Professor Higgins said: “Many leaders in Qatar, including Professor Al-Misnad and members of the Royal Family, have studied in Durham, and this agreement allows us to build on those connections to develop collaborative research projects across a number of disciplines.”