Derby, 22 January 2000
Chancellor, Deputy Lieutenant, Madam Mayor, Vice-Chancellor, Members of the University of Derby, graduates and guests.
Becoming an honorary doctor of the University of Derby is a pleasure, an honour, and an opportunity.
A pleasure because the thrill of being in on the ground floor of the development of modern distance learning has itself been recompense in plenty for my efforts. For my contribution to the expansion of distance education to be recognised by this award is a wonderful bonus.
It is an honour because I admire the goal that the University of Derby is pursuing, under the inspiration and guidance of your Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor, to become a true learning community. It is a privilege to be in the same company as today’s graduates.
It is an opportunity to say how much the Open University has appreciated working with the University of Derby on the application of new technologies to the teaching of Earth Sciences and the assessment of learning. We admire the skill and insight that Professor Don Mackenzie has brought to this project.
Finally, I congratulate my fellow graduands, the first graduating class of a new millennium. I urge you to be true to the spirit of the University of Derby and to keep on learning for the rest of your lives.
Thank you.