Southampton honours President of NTU Singapore during winter graduation
The University of Southampton has awarded an Honorary Doctorate to Professor Bertil Andersson, President and Vice-Chancellor of Nanyang Technological University (NTU), during its 2016 Winter Graduation ceremonies.
Professor Andersson, a world-leading academic who has demonstrated excellent leadership in higher graduation, described his fellow graduands as âthe heroes of the dayâ? after receiving his Honorary Doctor of Science degree from University Pro-Chancellor, Jon Sopel.
âTo receive this doctorate is a tremendous honour and privilege,â? said Professor Andersson. âMore importantly, it is a recognition of the high regard that the University of Southampton has for NTU Singapore, and a testament to the close relationship between both institutions. The NTU-Southampton collaboration is an excellent example that knowledge sees no borders in todayâs world. âWe share the same high ambitions to create new knowledge and apply it for the benefit of Singapore and the United Kingdom,â? he continued. âWe are collaborating in the exciting field of photonics and aim to use it for industrial innovations and breakthroughs for the good of both countries.â?
Professor Sir Christopher Snowden, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Southampton said, âWe are pleased to award an Honorary Doctorate to Professor Andersson. His strong stewardship of NTUâs global partnerships and continued support of collaboration between NTU and the University of Southampton has led to successful global research and development initiatives like the S$100m Photonics Institute established at NTU with Southampton that is one of the most advanced centres of its kind in the world.â?
A world-renowned Swedish plant biochemist, Professor Andersson is a pioneer of photosynthesis research who has authored more than 300 papers with over 14,000 citations. Since becoming President of NTU Singapore in 2011, he has led the University to global distinction. NTU is the worldâs fastest-rising young university and is ranked first among the worldâs young universities. It also leads the top Asian universities in normalised research citation impact. In the 2016 QS World University Rankings, NTU is ranked 13th globally.
Southamptonâs 10 winter ceremonies featured around 1,000 graduating students from a wide range of subjects, including over 300 from Electronics & Computer Science and the Optoelectronics Research Centre within the University's Faculty of Physical Sciences and Engineering.
Pictured above are: Top row (l-r) - Professor Bashir Al-Hashimi, Dean of the Faculty of Physical Sciences and Engineering; Professor Mark Spearing, Vice-President (Research and Enterprise). Bottom row (l-r) - Professor Sir David Payne, Director of the Optoelectronics Research Centre; Professor Bertil Andersson, President and Vice-Chancellor of Nanyang Technological University; University Pro-Chancellor, Jon Sopel.