Jeremy Bowen presented as Fellow of Aberystwyth University

Dr Tim Brain, Treasurer of Aberystwyth University welcomes Jeremy Bowen as Fellow of Aberystwyth University

Renowned journalist, Jeremy Bowen, has been presented as Fellow of Aberystwyth University, a year after being honoured in absentia.

Jeremy Bowen was unable to attend last year’s ceremony as he was reporting from the conflict in Gaza.

Originally from Cardiff, Jeremy Bowen studied at UCL and John Hopkins University before beginning his career with the BBC in 1984.

Having been a war correspondent for much of his career, Jeremy Bowen has often been in the line of fire.  He was robbed at gunpoint by bandits in Kosovo in 1999 and was shot in the head while reporting on the Egyptian protests of 2013.

Since 2005, he has been Middle East Editor for the BBC and is one of the few journalists to have reported from Syria’s civil war.

Jeremy Bowen was presented as Fellow on Wednesday 15 July by Dr Madeline Carr, Senior Lecturer in International Politics.

Presentation of Jeremy Bowen as Fellow

Trysorydd, Is-Ganghellor, darpar raddedigion, gyfeillion.  Pleser o’r mwyaf yw cyflwyno Jeremy Bowen yn gymrawd Prifysgol Aberystwyth.

Treasurer, Vice-Chancellor, prospective graduates and supporters.  It is an honour and a privilege to present Jeremy Bowen as a Fellow of Aberystwyth University.

Many of you will be familiar with Jeremy’s work. Born in Cardiff, he joined the BBC 30 years ago and has been a war correspondent for much of his career including during the Boznia-Herzogovina and Kosovo conflicts. He was the BBC's Middle East correspondent based in Jerusalem between 1995 and 2000, and has been its Middle East Editor since 2005. He has borne witness on our behalf, to some extraordinary events in global politics. In the course of his work, he has received some of the most prestigious awards in journalism including:

•        Sony Gold award for News Story of the Year for his coverage of the arrest of Saddam Hussein

•        A team BAFTA for coverage of the Kosovo conflict

•        International Emmy for his lead on BBC News', coverage of the 2006 Lebanon War

The work of people like Jeremy is obviously important to the health of our society. Having access to information about global affairs is essential to shaping our view of the world and to considering how best to respond to crises. But his work is particularly important for people like me who work in International Politics and often rely on foreign correspondents to provide us with an overview and immediate news of a region or issue that we study.

We’re currently facing a generational challenge to work out a new model for the delivery of news. The old model of advertising based newspapers has not translated successfully to online platforms and we’ve seen massive budget cuts to the news industry across the board. While it’s tempting to see this as an opportunity for the democratization of news and a new ‘bottom-up’ model generated by bloggers and interested citizens, a more likely future is one based on trusted individuals like Jeremy Bowen who have years – or decades, of experience reporting on a particular region or issue.

Almost 100 years ago, the Department I work in (International Politics) was founded by Lord David Davies as a response to the horrors of the first WW.  His specific intent was to establish an intellectual project that would work towards eliminating or minimizing the practice of war. I think he would have been very proud and pleased today to see Jeremy Bowen – the recipient three years ago of the Peace Through Media Award, being recognised as an honorary fellow.

Jeremy was to have received his fellowship at graduation last year but could not because once again, he had flown at a moment’s notice to a conflict zone. He spends much of his time in extremely dangerous places, at considerable personal risk – because he believes in what he does. And that commitment is something to aspire to for all of us.

You have all had the incredible privilege of a world-class education. As you move onto the next chapter in your academic or working lives, I’d encourage you to consider Jeremy’s example and think deeply about how best to use your education to contribute to a better world. If you can put yourselves in a position to do what inspires you, to do something that you believe really matters, then you will not only be best placed to make the kind of difference that David Davies was hoping for and that Jeremy Bowen has worked towards for three decades, you will be an inspiration to those around you.

Trysorydd, mae’n bleser gen i gyflwyno Jeremy Bowen i chi yn Gymrawd. 

Treasurer, it is my absolute pleasure to present Jeremy Bowen to you as a Fellow of Aberystwyth University.

Aberystwyth University Honours 2015

Twelve individuals are being honoured by Aberystwyth University during the 2015 graduation ceremonies, which take place at the University’s Arts Centre from Tuesday 14 July until Friday 17 July.

Eight Honorary Fellowships will be presented to individuals who have, or have had a connection with Aberystwyth or Wales, and who have made an outstanding contribution to their chosen field.

Two Honorary Doctorate degrees will be presented to individuals who have been outstandingly successful in their field, or who have a long record of renowned research and publication.

Two Honorary Bachelor degrees will be presented to individuals who are members of Aberystwyth University staff without an entry-level degree in recognition of long-service, contribution and dedication to the Institution; and members of the local community who have made a significant contribution to Aberystwyth and the area.

Also being honoured are:

Honorary Fellowships:

•        Eurwen Richards, former President of the Society of Dairy Technology and first female cheese master in the UK.

•        Professor Robin Williams CBE, researcher in semiconductor physics, Fellow of the Royal Society and former Vice-Chancellor of Swansea University.

•        Professor Miguel Alario-Franco, researcher in solid state chemistry and former President of the Royal Academy of Sciences of Spain.

•        Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Department of Energy and Climate Change, and the Wales Office and an alumnus of Aberystwyth University.

•        Debbie Moon, BAFTA award-winning creator and writer of the television series WolfBlood, contributor to the Hinterland television series and an alumnus of Aberystwyth University.

•        Dr Francesca Rhydderch, Award-winning novelist, former editor of New Welsh Review and Associate Professor of Creative Writing at Swansea University.

•        Dr Lyn Evans, researcher in high energy physics and leader of the team that designed, built and commissioned the Large Hadron Collider.

•        Iolo Williams, wildlife television presenter of more than 20 series for the BBC and S4C including Springwatch, Autumnwatch and Winterwatch, and former RSPB Species Officer for Wales.

Honorary Doctorate Degrees:

•        Dylan Iorwerth, award-winning poet and author, radio and television presenter, founder and Directing Editor of Golwg Cyf and an alumnus of Aberystwyth University.

•        Professor Huw Cathan Davies OBE, Fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society, former National Academy of Science Researcher at NASA Institute in Virginia and an alumnus of Aberystwyth University.

Honorary Bachelor Degrees:

•        Bryn Jones, co-ordinator of the Penparcau Community forum and founding member of local arts and healthcare group ‘HAUL’.

•        Rhian Phillips, former Head teacher of Plascrug Primary School and International Schools Learning ambassador for Wales.

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