Kes director to be honoured at city's degree ceremonies

York University announced yesterday that 11 individuals have been selected for their contributions to society and will be presented with honorary doctorates during graduation ceremonies today, tomorrow and on Friday.

Mr Loach, who is one of Britain's most renowned film and television directors responsible for movies including Kes and Carla's Song, will be presented with his degree on Friday, while Mr Horowitz will be awarded his doctorate at a later ceremony that day.

He graduated with a degree in English and History of Art from York University in 1978, and is the creator of the hugely popular Alex Rider series of books for children and the award-winning television drama series, Foyle's War.

Other doctorates will be presented to the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, and an architect of South Africa's post-apartheid constitution, Justice Albie Sachs, as well as Professor Carol Robinson, one of Britain's leading scientists and a pioneer in mass spectrometry despite leaving school at 16.

The other individuals chosen include historian Professor Dame Janet Nelson, former York University Registrar David Foster and science communicator Professor Averil MacDonald.

The leading Liberal Democrat Lord Navnit Dholakia, geneticist Professor John Bell and businessman Sir William Castell, who chairs the Wellcome Trust, will also be presented with honorary doctorates during the gradation ceremonies.

During their visits, Mr Horowitz and Justice Sachs will visit new buildings that will house the Department of Theatre, Film and Television and The York Law School on the university's 500m campus expansion at Heslington East.

Justice Sachs will also visit the university's Centre for Applied Human Rights.

Every year, the university confers honorary degrees on people who have made a significant contribution to society. Honorary graduates are selected from nominations by members of the university and often have links with academic departments or are York alumni.