UCA honorary degrees 2012
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The University for the Creative Arts (UCA) has awarded honorary degrees to chief executive of the Design Council David Kester, media entrepreneur Geoff Miles, and Design Museum director Deyan Sudjic at its Kent graduation ceremonies.
David Kester, the former Chief Executive of the Design Council was awarded an honorary Master of Arts degree by the University for the Creative Arts at Rochester Cathedral.
Receiving his award alongside graduates of subjects including fashion, textiles, design and many other creative courses, David said: "It's fantastic to receive this honorary degree. I've worked in the creative industries the whole of my life and spent the last decade running the Design Council, so I feel hugely honoured.
"I've known UCA and its design courses for many years so I've seen first hand the amazing work that comes out of UCA. It's a fantastic institution."
Kent media entrepreneur Geoff Miles received his award at UCA's Maidstone graduation ceremony at All Saints Church.
Geoff has worked with many entertainment stars including Tommy Cooper, Bob Hope, Luciano Pavarotti, Paul O'Grady and Shirley Bassey. He was dubbed 'Mr. Saturday Night' when he was responsible for BBC1's prime-time Saturday entertainment schedule with Bob Monkhouse, Paul Daniels and Jasper Carrott.
In 2002, Geoff led a consortium of local business people to buy the Maidstone Studios which regularly attracts major network programmes such as Frank Skinner's Opinionated, The Biggest Loser and ITV1 hit show, Take Me Out.
Geoff said: "When I first bought Maidstone Studios, the first call I made was to UCA. Graphic Design, photography - there's nothing that UCA does that isn't used in television.
"Students are not just leaving with a theoretical degree; they are leaving with real, practical experience. They will be the students that employers will look at."
Deyan Sudjic OBE was awarded an honorary degree at the Canterbury graduation held at Shirley Hall.
Founded in 1989, the Design Museum is the UK's cultural champion of design and wins international acclaim for exhibitions of modern design history and contemporary design.
On receiving the degree, Deyan said: "It's humbling to collect a degree when the real action of the day is about the next generation of young artists and architects entering the world."
Before joining the Design Museum in August 2006, Deyan was Dean of the Faculty of Art, Architecture and Design at Kingston University, visiting professor at the Royal College of Art, and the Observer newspaper's design and architecture writer.
Of UCA Deyan said "It's the kind of art school that is very important as it underpins Britain's creativity. The tradition of the art school is a very precious thing and it's great that UCA is one of the places where that spirit is still alive."
Earlier this month UCA awarded honorary degrees to graphic designer Adrian Shaughnessy, Glastonbury founder Michael Eavis and film director Gareth Edwards at its Epsom and Farnham ceremonies held at Guildford Cathedral.
For more information contact:
David Reilly, Press Officer, UCA
T: 01252 892939
E: dreilly@ucreative.ac.uk
