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16 Jul

Doctorate for Mayo

Worst headline of the day award ('Radio Star Simon is a Spin Doctor') goes to the report that DJ Simon Mayo has been given... you guessed it, an honorary doctorate.

The Five Live presenter was rewarded by Warwick University, on whose student radio station he used to regularly perform.

Fellowship for Doctor Who writer

Doctor Who writer Russell T Davies has been awarded an honorary fellowship from Swansea Institute. Davies, who was born in Swansea, also penned Queer as Folk.

Doctorates for Andy Kershaw and Bill Bryson

The author Bill Bryson and the Radio 3 DJ Andy Kershaw have been awarded honorary doctorates by the University of Leeds.

Bryson's was in recognition of his links to Yorkshire and support for universities, while Kershaw - a former Leeds student - was awarded his for "commitment to global thinking".

The pair were given their doctorates by Leeds Chancellor Melvyn Bragg.

Students arrested for burning books

More from the protests in Nepal, where students have been arrested for burning textbooks containing images of the royal family.

Eight students' unions had been protesting against the government's plans "to introduce 'nationalist education'." They are promising nationwide protest if the students are not released by Monday.

'No confidence' in Welsh vice-chancellor

Lecturers at the University of Wales Institute in Cardiff have passed a vote of no confidence in their vice-chancellor, Tony Chapman.

The Natfhe vote went 93% to 7% against Mr Chapman on a 56% turnout. Staff are said to be unhappy with his leadership, particularly in relation to a potential merger.

More here and here.

13 Jul

Film director honoured by Sunderland

Sir Alan Parker, the Oscar-winning director of classics like Midnight Express and Mississippi Burning, has received an honorary degree from Sunderland University.

The award was made by the university's Chancellor, the film producer Lord Puttnam.

Doctorate for Dame Kelly, fellowship for rugby team

Dame Kelly Holmes has added an honorary doctorate to her collection of honours. Leeds Met made the award today through its new chancellor, the fellow athlete Brendan Foster.

The entire Leeds Rhinos rugby team meanwhile received an honorary fellowship in recognition of their success this year, the Yorkshire Post reports.

Harpist and nationalist honoured by Bangor

Bangor University has given the harpist Catrin Finch and Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones its highest honours.

icNorthWales reports that they received honorary fellow-ships for making "distinguished contributions in their field".

Degrees for top golfers

Three top golfers have been honoured by St Andrews University. Peter Alliss, Nick Faldo, and Peter Thomson have all be rewarded for their contributions to golf.

The 134th Open championship is taking place at St Andrews this week.

Students clash with police at Nongstoin blockade

The students' union in Meghalaya, India, is rather more militant than their British counterpart. The Khasi Students Union (KSU) has mounted a blockade in protest at plans to "revamp" the Meghalaya Board Of School Education. So far it has lasted five days.

The Telegraph in Calcutta reports that in a recent confrontation stones were thrown at police, injuring two of them. Seven other people were also hurt.

12 Jul

Discount bus fares at risk in Philippines

Disquiet in The Philippines where students are complaining about plans to take away their discounted bus fares on certain days to give drivers more money.

"We lament with the drivers, but this is not the solution," said a spokesman from the students' union.

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