Former Scottish rugby captain Andy Nicol has praised Abertay University for the “good foundation” it had given to hundreds of students about to go out and make their way in the world.
He returned to the university where he studied 20 years ago on Thursday to receive an honorary degree during a graduation ceremony that saw around 900 students from all over the world conferred with their degrees in subjects as diverse as computer games technology, law, sports science and sociology in front of hundreds of family and friends at Caird Hall.
Also among the honorary graudates was former Bank of England governor Sir Mervyn King.
Reflecting on the challenges ahead of the graduands, Mr Nicol said: “It’s a very different world they are going into from the one when I graduated. They have got their degrees now and that’s one step done, but it’s the next few steps that may be the harder.
“They have got a good qualification, a good foundation. You can only build a house if you’ve got a good foundation and I think Abertay gives you that foundation.”
Abertay principal Professor Nigel Seaton said he was proud of the students’ achievements and believed the university had stretched them intellectually to expand their capacity to make significant contributions to society.
He told the graduands: “We hope we have helped you develop curiosity and ambition in your thought processes, determination and creativity in your approach to work, and confidence and flexibility in your collaborations with others.
“Armed with these, there is really nothing to stop you now. The world is at your feet, with opportunities at every turn.
“We will follow your progress with interest and great pride.”
The paths taken by another two honorary graduates demonstrate how talent and dedication can lead to great accomplishments.
Sir Mervyn, said: “I am delighted to have been honoured in this way by Abertay University and I have greatly enjoyed today’s ceremony.
“It is encouraging and gratifying to see so many young people celebrating their academic achievements and looking ahead to new challenges.”
Also honoured was Professor Iain Gordon, chief executive of the James Hutton Institute, who said: “This is about not just me receiving an honorary degree. It’s about the relationship between the university and the insititute, so I am accepting this on behalf of the relationship there is between these two great institutions.”
His advice to the graduands was: “The most important thing is to follow your heart if you believe you can do something then go out and do it. The graduation they are getting today is just the start, not the end.
“Go out and get what you want.”