Congraduations from around the world!

The cosmopolitan flavour of student life at the institute was celebrated by principal Mollie Temple on the second day of the annual awards ceremony.

She told the audience at the awards day in the Victoria Hall: "We all hope everyone graduating today will share in this feeling of achievement for a long time to come.

"Among the graduating students are some that have travelled a long way to be with us.

"Bolton Institute delivers programmes in a number of locations around the world and each year we hold graduation ceremonies in several other countries.

"However, some of those students choose to come here to Bolton -- travelling thousands of miles to receive their awards."

The institute has had students from African countries including Nigeria -- and in the autumn a number of Chinese students are due to arrive in Bolton.

Hundreds of successful students from abroad and from right across the UK received their degrees and diplomas during two days of prizegiving.

One of the country's most successful businesswomen was among those honoured by Bolton Institute yesterday.

Meena Pathak received an honorary fellowship to mark her outstanding contribution to the world of business.

Mrs Pathak, who was recently awarded the OBE, helped to create recipes for the world famous Patak (Spices) Ltd, which produces Indian food and employs more than 400 staff.

The mother-of-three, who already holds honorary degrees from the University of Central Lancashire and Coventry University, said: "I was astonished when Bolton Institute got in touch with me.

"It's a great honour. My husband, Kirit, and I are still heavily involved in the day-to-day running of the business.

"He's the chairman of the company and I work on promotion and product development.

"We've only touched the tip of the iceberg in terms of flavours. There are hundreds of ideas for us to tap into. For any young people going into business, I would advise them to stay focused, don't try and do too much at once -- and be careful with your money."

Mr and Mrs Pathak were recently placed 38th in a list of the country's richest people.

The £45 million business was established in the 1950s from a small basement kitchen before moving into three industrial plants, including one in Leigh.

Mrs Pathak, who developed the recipes from her home in Heaton, is a committee member of the Food Council and takes a keen interest in race relations issues.

The former housewife, whose favourite curries are rogan josh and biryani dishes, hopes to take her products back to India over the next three years, where consumers are increasingly buying ready-made meals.

Other individuals honoured by the Deane Road college during the two days of ceremonies at Victoria Hall included television and radio presenter Felicity Goodey, former Bolton Institute student and paralympics medalist Josie Cichockyj, writer Jackie Kay and the former High Sheriff of Greater Manchester, Norman Stoller.

Hardworking student Francis Wilford Salt, from Rochdale, impressed his colleagues after gaining a first class degree in creative studies despite being blind.