Singer-songwriter and record producer, PinkPantheress, and renowned author, Sir Michael Morpurgo MBE are amongst eight influential figures who are receiving an honorary degree from Kent this week. The doctorates are being awarded during Kent’s Class for 2025 graduation ceremonies at Canterbury and Rochester cathedrals.
Those who have received their honorary degrees so far this week for their outstanding contributions to society and within their respective fields are:
- Angela Cohen MBE, who has been made Doctor of Arts in recognition of her support for Holocaust survivors and for advancing Holocaust education and research.
Angela Cohen MBE gives her acceptance speech
- Prashant Baluja, who has been made Doctor of the University in recognition of his leadership and contribution to the Kent in India Alumni Association and wider engagement and partnership for the University in the region. Prashant is a Kent alumnus and successful retail and IT businessman.
Prashant Baluja receives his honorary degree from Kent’s Chancellor YolanDa Brown
- Sir Michael Morpurgo MBE, who has been made Doctor of Letters in recognition for his distinguished contribution to literature and work to support young people from inner city areas to gain experience of farms. Michael is a book author, poet, playwright, and librettist, renowned for his best-selling children’s novels such as War Horse. Using an analogy of a butterfly, Sir Michael told graduates: ‘Your wings are new, and young, and bright. You are strong, with youth, and ready to fly the world, with years of flying and fluttering ahead of you.’
At the end of his speech, Sir Michael gave a rendition of ‘The Year Turns Round Again’, a song from the national stage production of War Horse
- Filmmaker Andrea Arnold OBE, who has been made Doctor of Arts in recognition of her award-winning work and contribution to film.
- PinkPantheress, who has been made Doctor of Music in recognition of her contribution to, and achievements in music in the digital age. PinkPantheress is a singer-songwriter and record producer, internationally known for her Top 40 singles ‘Just for Me’, ‘Pain’ and ‘Boy’s a Liar’.
PinkPantheress receives her honorary degree from Kent’s Chancellor YolanDa Brown
- Iain Dale, who has been made Doctor of the University for his services to political broadcasting and championing more civility and courtesy in the conduct of our political life. Iain is a British broadcaster, author and political commentator who currently presents the Evening Show on LBC Radio.
Iain Dale gave an encouraging speech to his fellow graduands in Canterbury Cathedral.
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- Giles Clark, was made Doctor of Science in recognition of his contribution to conservation awareness and work in the Kent region at The Big Cat Sanctuary, Smarden, Kent. Clark also presented the BBC programme ‘Tigers about the House’, (following his family bringing up two young tiger cubs), then ‘Ingenious Animals’ and ‘Big Cats about the House’ which highlighted the illegal trade in sun bears and moon bears in Laos.
Dr Giles Clark listens to the oration before his doctorate is conferred
- Giles Clark, was made Doctor of Science in recognition of his contribution to conservation awareness and work in the Kent region at The Big Cat Sanctuary, Smarden, Kent. Clark also presented the BBC programme ‘Tigers about the House’, (following his family bringing up two young tiger cubs), then ‘Ingenious Animals’ and ‘Big Cats about the House’ which highlighted the illegal trade in sun bears and moon bears in Laos.
- Retired Group Captain of the RAF and one of the first 500 students to enrol at Kent, John Platt, was made Doctor of the University in recognition of his sustained and dedicated commitment to the University and support of the academic achievements of Kent students
John Platt gives his acceptance speech after receiving his honorary degree