Honorary Degrees Awarded to Eminent Creatives 24/06/05

The Surrey Institute of Art & Design University has awarded Honorary Degrees to:

•award-winning film director, Nick Broomfield;
•leading contemporary jeweller, Cynthia Cousens;
•author, entrepreneur and lifestyle guru, Lynne Franks;
•internationally acclaimed artist, writer and curator, Sunil Gupta.

These four talented individuals received their Honorary Degrees at the Institute's academic award ceremonies at Guildford Cathedral on the 28 and 29 June 2005.

Professor Elaine Thomas, Director of The Surrey Institute of Art & Design University, explains the reason for the awards: "As one of Europe's largest specialist colleges of art, design, media and communication, we are delighted to reward and acknowledge the contribution of outstanding individuals to the creative industries. These Honorary Graduands are no exception and provide a remarkable source of inspiration to our students. We are particularly pleased this year to have been able to include Sunil Gupta - an alumnus of the Institute - and Cynthia Cousens - one of the pioneers of the Metalwork & Jewellery programme - amongst those receiving honorary degrees."

Alongside the four Honorary Graduands, around 800 students gathered together at Guildford Cathedral to receive their degree certificates as they formally complete their education.

Professor Thomas comments on the significance of the event: "The Institute's award ceremonies are a real celebration of our students' achievements. We are delighted to have been able to recognise their accomplishments and to invite family and friends to join us in marking the completion of their studies with us. It is our students that make the Institute the success it is today."

ENDS

Note(s) to the Editor

1. The Surrey Institute of Art & Design University is one of Europe's largest specialist colleges of art, design, media and communication, with around 3,500 students studying on more that 30 programmes leading to diplomas, degrees and postgraduate qualifications. A thriving and vibrant community of researchers, staff and students, the Institute is home to the Crafts Study Centre, Animation Research Centre, Centre for Sustainable Design and Anglo-Japanese Textiles Research Centre. Alumni of the Institute include product designer and founder of Seymourpowell Dick Powell; Changing Rooms' Linda Barker; fashion designers Owen Gaster and Gharani Strok; and Oscar-winning animators Daniel Greaves and Michael Dudok de Wit.

2. The Surrey Institute of Art & Design University and the Kent Institute of Art & Design will merge on 1 August 2005 to become a University for the arts serving the needs of the creative industries in the South East and beyond. Combining strengths in art, design, architecture, media and communication, the merger marks a joint desire to attain specialist university status and build on similarities in size, focus and reputation.

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