Students from the University of Bolton have been celebrating on the first day of a full week of graduation ceremonies.

The Chancellor of the University of Bolton, the Earl of St Andrews – Professor George Philip Nicholas Windsor – praised students’ success at the three ceremonies on Monday, July 15, held at Bolton’s Albert Halls, in the magnificent town hall.

The Earl conferred degrees on students from the University’s Research and Doctoral College, the School of Engineering, the National Centre for Motorsport Engineering (NCME) and the School of Education.

He said: “We are so proud of your achievements, which are a testament to all your hard work and dedication. I know your loved ones will also be hugely proud.

“A degree from a UK university has global significance and the University of Bolton is ranked among the top 30 British universities according to the Guardian, so your achievements should not be underestimated.

“This is a special year. We are in our 200th year as an institution.

“Our roots are proudly local, but we have come a long way since our early days as one of Britain’s first Mechanics’ Institutes.

“Today we have an international presence with global partners across the world.”

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Phillip Britton, head of foundation at Bolton School, was made a Doctor of Education for his outstanding contribution to education.

Mr Britton has recently been announced as the 2025-26 Chair of the HMC, a professional association of heads of the world’s leading independent schools.

He started as a physics teacher in 1991 at Leeds Grammar School and since then has won numerous awards, recognising his exceptional contribution to education, including an MBE for services to physics in the 2010 New Year's Honours list.

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He said: “A proper well-founded education can create social mobility, can create choices in life and can create opportunity and that is what we come to celebrate today. Such education requires great teachers and that is what this university has and you have all benefited from.

“While I am honoured myself to receive this degree this afternoon, I am equally proud and pleased to be joining all the graduands to celebrate your success in education and to look forward to your futures.”

Ged O'Dwyer, Manufacturing Sector Head for MBDA Missile Systems UK, received an honorary degree and Doctor of Engineering for his outstanding contribution to engineering. Ged oversees the delivery of complex weapons systems at MBDA's £50 million facility in Bolton.

His career is intertwined with MBDA and its predecessor businesses, where he accumulated extensive experience across operational, technical and leadership roles.

He said: “I am truly honoured to receive this degree and I am very grateful to the University. I wish you all the very best in the future.”

Other honorary doctorates presented on Monday, July 15, were Mehmet Gültekin, who founded Horizon Education Group; Dr C George M Fernie, who works in healthcare; Hitesh Patel, who works in the aviation industry; Carl Ward, the CEO of City Learning Trust; and Christopher Morris, a team technician responsible for race team vehicles at Keating Supercars.

If you have a story, I cover the whole borough of Bolton. Please get in touch at jack.fifield@newsquest.co.uk.