Truly international flavour as 1,600 Graduates from more than 110 countries attend University of London Graduation ceremonies

There was a truly international feel to the University of London’s Graduation ceremonies at the Barbican Centre as 1,600 graduates from more than 110 countries around the world received awards. Around 3,000 family and friends also attended to celebrate the achievements of our graduates.

The Chancellor of the University of London, HRH The Princess Royal, presided over one of the four ceremonies. The University of London also awarded honorary degrees to two extraordinary individuals who embody the diversity and values of the institution.

Karim A. A. Khan KC commenced his term as Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court in June 2021. A Barrister and King’s Counsel with over 30 years’ experience in international criminal law and human rights law, Prosecutor Khan previously served as the first Special Adviser and Head of the United Nations Investigative Team on Da’esh/ISIL in Iraq. 

An honorary degree was also awarded to Anglo-African artist Michael Armitage. He received his BA in Fine Art from the Slade School of Fine Art, London (2007), and has a Postgraduate Diploma from the Royal Academy Schools, London (2010). In 2022, the Royal Academy of Arts, London, elected him a Royal Academician in the category of painting.

The University also welcomed guest speaker Shahid Azeem, who talked about his incredible journey since arriving in the UK from Pakistan without a word of English to his current roles in business, charity and football. Professor Sue Black OBE described fleeing domestic violence with her small children, studying at night school and now being Professor of Computer Science and Technology Evangelist at Durham University.

Student speakers included co-chairs of the Student Voice Forum Ilsa Tariq and John Saddington. 

University of London Vice-Chancellor Wendy Thomson said:

“After years of hard work, late nights studying, exams, dissertations, and sacrifice, our graduates have made it to graduation. This is an amazing achievement at the best of times – to do it in the circumstances of the pandemic is truly exceptional.

“The skills that you have learned, the degrees that you have, make you the people on who the future relies. Whether that is rewriting our laws to reflect the new dynamic of the world, or working out how to keep the wheels of the economy turning, it is in your hands. In a turbulent world, you will be a key influence in finding the next route to secure stability and justice.

“You have a chance now to remake the world as you see fit, to build a better future for the people around you, to leave the world in a better shape than when you found it. There is no limit to what you can and will achieve. My sincere congratulations to you all.”