Abertay University graduates should seize the “fantastic opportunities” they now have before them, honorary degree recipient David Braben said.
He was being recognised for his work as a founding trustee of the group that created Raspberry Pi, a small cheap computer designed to teach children the basics of programming and computer science.
Mr Braben is one of the pioneers of the computer games industry, having co-written the popular 1980s space-trading game Elite.
He said he hoped Raspberry Pi would help a new generation of young people learn the fundamentals of programming the way he had benefited from the technology available in his time.
“The reason we founded Raspberry Pi was because myself and others like me had such a headstart with things like the BBC Micro many years ago.
“That doesn’t exist today, where you have an opportunity to get started. All the computers now are so locked down, whereas the old ones were completely open, where you could just sit down and programme.
“We are very excited about the take-up of it. We have now crossed more than two million sales, we have sold more than BBC Micro.”
Abertay chose Mr Braben to receive an honorary degree during its winter graduation ceremony at Caird Hall because of its own reputation in computer games education.
He said: “It’s a real honour. It’s really nice, I have been treated so kindly. But more importantly Abertay, although its a relatively new university, has really managed to make a huge impact.”
Programming was a “mission-critical” area for gaming and it had to be as reliable as that used by banks and the military.
The graduation saw the achievements of more than 300 students celebrated, with 800 of their family and friends gathered to watch them come up on stage.
Degrees were conferred by the chancellor, Lord Cullen, in subjects as diverse as computer arts, ethical hacking, biotechnology and criminology.
Abertay’s principal and vice-chancellor, Professor Nigel Seaton, told the graduates: “My colleagues and I are incredibly proud of you.
“We challenged and stretched you intellectually, because we believed in your ability to learn and grow. And you did.
“There might have been times when you doubted your own ability to complete the journey but today, on this stage, you have emphatically answered your own question.
“Through your academic, cultural and sporting achievements, you have contributed enormously to Abertay’s distinctive community spirit, helping to make it such an important part of the wider communities of Dundee, Scotland and the UK.”