Students from the Faculty of Health & Social Sciences gathered at St Mary’s Church at the Luton campus to collect their degrees in front of excited family and friends.

Among them was the Chief Constable of Norfolk Constabulary, Simon Bailey, who was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science for his outstanding services to policing child protection.

Mr Bailey has worked closely with the University’s International Centre: Researching child sexual exploitation, violence and trafficking, incorporating its research into how Norfolk Constabulary deal with child protection issues.

A police officer with over 30 years’ experience, Mr Bailey is the first Chief Constable in history to have served in every rank in his own force.

On receiving his award, Mr Bailey told the graduates: “I cannot tell you what this means to me, that the University should have considered giving me this award. As you embark on the next stage of your lives, strive to do great deeds, knowing that even if you fall at the first hurdle, you will have done your best, and you would have experienced that which those who don’t set out to make a difference will never, ever know.”

Special recognition was given to the following students, who were also awarded prizes:

• Sonia Pritchard - Contribution to Practice Knowledge and Development in the Social Sciences
• Charlotte Travers - Best Overall Postgraduate Dissertation
• Theresa Pullen - Contribution to Practice
• Rahini Mahendran - MSc Public Health Course Award

Vice Chancellor Bill Rammell congratulated the new graduates, saying: “Each of you is an accomplished, talented, ambitious individual, with so much to offer the world. Take pride in your achievement today. You have absolutely earned it. But resolve here and now to be bold and courageous in choosing to value not only what you have achieved in the past, but all of the potential you have to do great things in the future.”