Encaenia at Oxford

Splendid sunshine across the spires of Oxford today signalled two special events - the summer solstice and Encaenia. It was such a privilege to have the opportunity to bear witness to Encaenia today. Whilst the ceremonial traditions, academic gowns and orations in Latin did make me feel (very happily) that I had been transported to Hogwarts, the events of today left an indelible mark on me.

The Encaenia ceremony at the University of Oxford is a prestigious event that has been held annually since 1669. It serves as a symbol of Oxford's ongoing commitment to knowledge, scholarship, and intellectual pursuits. It showcases the university's rich tradition and its dedication to recognizing and celebrating excellence. The ceremony takes place at the Sheldonian Theatre, providing an awe-inspiring backdrop for the momentous event.

Recipients of honorary degrees at Encaenia come from diverse fields and have made remarkable contributions to their respective domains and society as a whole. The ceremony has recognised luminaries such as Sir Isaac Newton, Marie Curie, Stephen Hawking, J.R.R. Tolkien, Margaret Atwood, Winston Churchill, Sir Ian McKellen and Dame Judi Dench.

We were so honoured to be invited to attended as part of the Oxford Newcomers Society. Attending the Encaenia ceremony today offered us a remarkable opportunity to witness the recognition of exceptional individuals and gain insights into their accomplishments. What a celebration where the pursuit of knowledge and the power of human intellect are celebrated on a grand scale.

If you’d like to read more you can find out about those who were honoured today here: https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2023-06-21-honorary-degrees-awarded-encaenia-2023

Congratulations to:??

• Professor Frances Arnold, chemical engineer and Nobel Prize laureate.??
• Former President of Chile, Michelle Bachelet most recently served as the United Nations’ High Commissioner for Human Rights and was President of Chile 2006-10 and 2014-18.??
• Lyse Doucet, CM, OBE, is the BBC’s Chief International Correspondent.??
• Professor Stephen?Furber,?CBE, FRS,?FREng, is the ICL Professor of Computer Engineering in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Manchester.?
• Professor Paul Gilroy?is a cultural and social theorist, and the Professor of Humanities at University College London. He is founding director of the UCL Sarah Parker?Remond?Centre for the Study of Racism and Racialisation.?
• Val McDermid, FRSE, FRSL, is an award-winning journalist and number-one bestseller whose novels have sold over 18 million copies.?
• Professor Malik Peiris,?SBS, FRS, FRCP,?FRCPath, FFPH, is Professor of Virology at the School of Public Health, University of Hong Kong, with a particular interest in emerging virus disease. He played a key role in?identifying?the novel coronavirus that caused SARS in 2003.?
• Professor Sir Simon?Schama, CBE, FBA,?FRHistS, FRSL, is University Professor of Art History and History at Columbia University, New York, a contributing editor of the?Financial Times, author of 19 books, and the writer-presenter of 60 documentaries on art,?history?and literature for BBC television.