4 May 2005

University of Dundee honorary degrees

The University of Dundee will confer honorary degrees on eight outstanding individuals at the 2005 summer graduation ceremonies including two Nobel prize-winning scientists, a comedian, a pioneer in the struggle against AIDS in Africa, a leading psychologist, the man who coined the term 'lateral thinking', a founder of clinical pharmacology and a leading climate expert. Among those to be honoured are Scotland's most distinguished living scientist, Sir James Black, comedian and former Rector of the University, Fred MacAulay and, Noerine Kaleeba, founder of The Aids Support Organisation in Uganda.

University Principal Sir Alan Langlands said, "We are honoured to be able to recognise the immense and distinctive contributions of eight extremely gifted and dedicated individuals whose work has benefited others, in many cases extending lives and life quality. It gives me particular personal pleasure to be able to honour the University’s own Chancellor and Scotland’s most distinguished living scientist, Sir James Black by conferring on him, for the first time in the University’s history, the honorary degree of Doctor of Science."

Sir James Black is the first recipient in the University's history of an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science, awarded as a special mark of respect to the University's Chancellor, who is now in his 81st year. Sir James' contribution to science was recognised at the highest level in 1988 when he was awarded (jointly) the Nobel Prize for Physiology or medicine, for discoveries of important principles for drug treatment which led to the development of new drugs for the treatment of a range of disorders including heart conditions and ulcers. In 2000 he was awarded the Order of Merit by HM The Queen - the highest honour which can be bestowed on an individual personally by The Queen. Sir James has been Chancellor for 12 years, during which time he has served the University with commitment, wisdom, grace and distinction.

Fred MacAulay studied at the University of Dundee, graduating with an MA in Accountancy and Jurisprudence. Currently he hosts an award-winning show on Radio Scotland, fronts an Edinburgh Festival Fringe event, is a monthly MC at the Stand Comedy Club, and fulfils many other television, radio and stage commitments. Fred is also one of the faces of Children In Need in Scotland, and is an ambassador for the Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust. He held the post of Rector of Dundee University from 2001-2004.

Physiotherapist and educator, Noerine Kaleeba set up The Aids Support Organisation (TASO) in Uganda after the death of her husband, Christopher, from AIDS in 1987. Her experience of dealing with AIDS in the family and the horrific social consequences made her determined to start a support group for people with HIV in Uganda. The Aids Support Organisation has evolved into a model project for AIDS service organisations worldwide, responding with energy and imagination to every new challenge thrown up by the epidemic in Africa. The extent of that epidemic continues to be seen in Noerine’s own family - she is supporting, with the help of the Friends of Noerine Kaleeba, over 20 members of her extended family who have either been orphaned by AIDS or are themselves HIV positive.

Baroness Susan Greenfield is one of the UK's leading authorities on brain function and disorders. Born in London, she was the first member of her family to go to university, studying experimental psychology at St Hilda’s College, Oxford. She received her DPhil in 1977 and then undertook research at Oxford and at the College de France, Paris, before being appointed a Junior Research Fellow at Green College, Oxford, in 1981. In 1985 she was elected a Fellow of Lincoln College, Oxford, and since 1996 she has been Professor of Pharmacology at Oxford. Her research concentrates on understanding brain functions and disorders, such as Parkinsons and Alzheimers diseases, as well as the physical basis of consciousness.

Professor Sir Alasdair Breckenridge is one of the founding fathers of modern Clinical Pharmacology in this country, a discipline in which the UK has a highly respected international reputation. In the mid 1970s he was appointed to the Chair of Pharmacology at Liverpool and steered it towards becoming one of the outstanding departments in the UK. He has been chairman of the UK Committee on Safety of Medicines and Foundation Chairman of the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency.

Professor Julian Hunt is one of the world's most foremost fluid dynamicists. He has pioneered new, fundamental approaches to one of the most challenging and difficult areas of mechanics, namely turbulence. While at the Met office he pioneered the exchange of data and the commercial applications of meteorology worldwide and he led efforts to improve international warnings for natural disasters. Currently Professor of Climate Modelling and Director of the Lighthill Institute of Mathematical Sciences at University College, he was created a Baron in the House of Lords in 2000, with the title Lord Hunt of Chesterton.

Sir John Sulston is one of the UK's most distinguished scientists. As the Director of The Sanger Centre, Sir John became one of the world's largest contributors to the Human Genome Project. The Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine was jointly awarded to Sydney Brenner, H Robert Horvitz and Sir John in 2002 for their seminal discoveries in identifying key genes that regulate organ development and programmed cell death and showed that corresponding genes exist in higher species including man. The discoveries are important for medical research and have shed new light on the pathogenesis of many diseases.

Dr Edward de Bono is widely regarded as a leading international authority in conceptual and creative thinking. Originating the term 'lateral thinking', he is in great demand as a lecturer and trainer and his instruction has been sought by governments and corporations throughout the world. Dr de Bono believes in the design and development of thinking and has written 62 books, is published in 37 languages and has been invited to lecture in 54 countries.

By Angela Durcan, Press Officer 01382 344768, out of hours: 07968298585, a.durcan@dundee.ac.uk