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11 Apr 2005 16:44:04
The first graduation ceremonies of 2005 have taken place at the University of Luton, with an Honorary Doctor of Arts being awarded to Trevor Phillips OBE, Chair of the Commission for Racial Equality.
Mr Phillips was presented with the award at the postgraduate ceremony at St Mary’s Church in Luton last Friday (8 April), in recognition of his contribution to community relations as a broadcaster and in political and public life.
In his speech, Mr Phillips said: “As an honorary graduate of the University of Luton, I am delighted to be part of a truly international educational establishment with students and alumni from around the world, as well as a home-grown student population reflecting Britain's diversity.
"Luton's students are fortunate enough to benefit from the University's established and highly successful teaching and its first rate School of Media, Art and Design. Their time at Luton will greatly assist them in achieving their goals and no doubt ensure that they will make a significant contribution to society."
Mr Phillips has an impressive career in broadcasting. In 1978 he joined London Weekend Television (LWT) as a researcher, and by 1992 he had worked his way up to Head of Current Affairs. From 1987 to 2000, Trevor edited and presented The London Programme.
As Managing Director of Pepper Productions he produced Windrush – a documentary chronicling the history of the black community in Britain over the last 50 years. This particular documentary won the Royal Television Society Documentary Series of the Year in 1998.
His contribution to the voluntary sector is equally impressive. Between 1993 and 1998, he was Chair of the Runnymeade Trust – an independent race relations organisation. It was during this period that the Trust launched the Commission on the Future of Multi Ethnic Britain and the Commission on British Muslims and Islamaphobia, whose report A Challenge for Us All, was published in 1997.
In 1999 he was awarded an OBE for services to broadcasting. In recent weeks, he was appointed by the government to head a new review on discrimination. This Equality Review will investigate the causes of discrimination and inequality in British Society.
Vice Chancellor, Professor Les Ebdon said: “Trevor’s impressive career in broadcasting and his dedication to raising the profile of race relations in Britain is truly astounding. The list of projects that he is involved with in the voluntary sector highlights his passion for community relations in Britain.
“Thirty per cent of our undergraduates are from ethnic minority backgrounds, so Trevor’s work is vital in continuing to encourage young people from these communities into higher education.
“The University of Luton is delighted to present him with this award and wish him well in his work to continue building stronger links with Britain’s minority communities.”
On the day, more than 380 students were presented with postgraduate degrees from Luton Business School, the Faculty of Creative Arts, Technologies and Science, and the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences.
Latest news» 2005» Apr» University Honours Trevor Phillips at Postgraduate Ceremony
