Paul Boateng, the UK’ s first black Cabinet Minister in history has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Law, in recognition of his outstanding achievements in public life by the University of West London (UWL).
Mr Boateng collected the Honorary LLD during UWL’s summer graduation ceremonies, held at Wembley Stadium, last week.
The University’s School of Law and Criminology bestowed the prestigious award in honour of the superb example which Mr Boateng set during his long career in British politics, as a beacon for BAME participation in the political life of the nation.
This saw him rise to hold several ministerial roles, at the Treasury; as Financial Secretary and then as Chief Secretary, the Home Office; as Minister of State for Home Affairs and at the Department of Health. Mr Boateng also served as High Commissioner to South Africa until 2009.
Responding to being made an Honorary Doctor of Law at UWL, Mr Boateng said: ‘It’s an honour for me because I’m a west London person and this is where I’ve worked most of my professional life. So it’s very significant that UWL has chosen to honour me in this way. I’m delighted.’
He praised UWL, which has one of the most diverse student populations of any UK university and is committed to widening participation in higher education.
‘For me, education is absolutely central to a life well lived and I want to see it made accessible to all. We have a long way to go, but the important thing about UWL is that access and opportunity are its key principles. That’s why I’m glad to receive this honorary award.’
UWL Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter John praised graduates for investing in their futures by successfully completing studies. ‘We believe nothing should get in the way of education and that students should be empowered to achieve excellence,’ he said.
The University of West London (UWL) has a reputation for high quality education closely linked to employment, with 98% of our graduates in employment within six months of graduating (HESA data, July 2017).
Over a nine month period, UWL has achieved the biggest increase in three independent league tables in the UK – climbing 37 places to No. 84 in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017, rising 27 places to No. 79 in The Complete University Guide 2018 and 38 places to No.58 in the Guardian University Guide 2018.
In June 2017, UWL was awarded Silver in the first Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), recognising our strategic and innovative approach to curriculum and teaching excellence linked to employability.
Within TEF, UWL was the highest ranked University for students in employment or study six months after graduation.
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