Three honorary degree recipients for winter graduations in 125th anniversary year

An award-winning filmmaker, a pioneer of the jewellery industry, and the first female Rector Magnificus at Leiden University are receiving honorary degrees from the University of Birmingham at the December 2025 graduation ceremonies.

The three recipients, Dheeraj Akolkar, Gary Wroe, Professor Hester Bijl have all been recognised for their unique and impactful contribution to their respective industries.

An honorary degree is the University of Birmingham's highest honour, awarded to eminent individuals who have made an exemplary contribution of regional, national, or international significance to their field. Previous honorary graduates include Director of Birmingham Royal Ballet Carlos Acosta CBE, the University of Birmingham’s Chancellor Sandie Okoro OBE, Nobel Prize winners Professors David Thouless and Mike Kosterlitz, and award-winning actor-director Kenneth Brannagh.

Professor Adam Tickell, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Birmingham said: “We are delighted to welcome our new honorary graduates to the University of Birmingham. They are the embodiment of our university values and, in our 125^th anniversary year, we are pleased to celebrate such distinct individuals’ ambition, innovation and collaboration.

“I would like to thank Dheeraj Akolkar, Gary Wroe and Professor Hester Bijl for their contributions not only to their respective fields but to the University over the years.”

Key role in Jewellery Quarter

Gary Wroe is the Managing Director of Hockley Mint, the UK’s largest independent jewellery manufacturer. Starting his career as an apprentice, Gary has worked in Birmingham’s iconic Jewellery Quarter for 40 years and played a key role in the industry’s growth and success in the West Midlands. Having spent his entire working life within Birmingham’s iconic Jewellery Quarter, Gary has an exceptional depth of knowledge and passion for Birmingham manufacturing. During this career, he has developed an award-winning apprenticeship scheme to train the next generation of jewellers, converted Hockley Mint into an Employee-Owned Trust, and become one of the leading Fairtrade Gold suppliers in the UK today.

Now, Gary is currently Director of British Allied Trades Federation and has previously been President of the National Association of Jewellers. Having completed his MBA at the University of Birmingham in 2005, Gary has returned to the University on numerous occasions to deliver guest lectures to current students and support academic staff.

Upon his nomination, Gary said: “I am deeply honoured to receive this honorary doctorate from the University of Birmingham. I accept this recognition with sincere gratitude and great humility. It is a privilege to be acknowledged by an institution renowned for its academic excellence, research, and commitment to positive global impact. I extend my heartfelt thanks to the University of Birmingham for this remarkable honour, which I will always treasure.”

Filmmaker with global impact

Dheeraj Akolkar is an award-winning filmmaker, whose work focuses on the arts and cinema for social change. His works include Jyotirgamaya - Lead me to the Light (2005), Liv & Ingmar (2012), Let the Scream be Heard (2013) and Wars Don't End (2018), among others. Dheeraj’s films have won numerous awards, screened at over 120 International Film Festivals and shown in 98 countries. Dheeraj’s latest film, Liv Ullman – A Road Less Travelled (2023) had its world premiere at the 76^th Festival de Cannes and won the ‘Grand Prize’ (Grand Prix) and ‘Audience Choice Award’ (Prix du Public) at the 12^th Afro-Arabic Film Festival in Zagora, Morocco.

Dheeraj has collaborated with Professor Sabine Lee and colleagues in the College of Arts & Law on projects which engage with the rights and wellbeing of children conceived in conflict-related sexual violence, an area of research in which the University is proactive in through its Children Born of War network. The Wound is Where the Light Enters was produced by Dheeraj and supported by various partners, such as the Horizon2020 funding of the European Union and the University, as well as the AHRC. The film draws on research which explores the life courses of children born of war rape in Northern Uganda and other countries, and won awards at the Research in Film Awards and the Trauma Research Foundation’s International Film Festival.

Dheeraj is currently producing a full-length feature film, The Other Side of Silence, which has been informed by this research project. This film has also been selected for the Impact Development Programme of the Geneva International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights 2025. In 2022, Dheeraj co-founded a charity, Global Reconciliation, Advocacy and Community-building Engagement (GRACE) with Professor Sabine Lee, Dr. Rachel Canty and Dr. Karen Houghton. This is the only UK based charity working for the rights and wellbeing of children born of conflict related sexual violence all over the world.

Upon his nomination, Dheeraj said: “I am incredibly humbled and honoured to receive this Honorary Doctorate in the 125th Anniversary year. I have very fond memories of the University of Birmingham campus and of working closely with Professor Sabine Lee, Dr. Rachel Canty and Dr. Karen Houghton over the last seven years.

“I am especially happy to be associated with the University of Birmingham as it is an institution that places great importance on its civic commitment and strives to create meaningful impact and drive social change”.

Leader in Higher Education

Professor Hester Bijl is a Professor of Numerical Mathematics and the first Rector Magnificus at Leiden University in its history. She was appointed in 2021 and was re-elected for a second four-year term this year. Hester is also a Board Member for the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (NTO), the Leiden Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship PLNT, and the Leiden Bio Science Park.

During her time at Leiden as Rector Magnificus, Hester has created the Leiden Learning and Innovation Centre, improved student well-being and digital education, and implemented the ‘Academia in Motion’ programme to recognise the efforts of academic staff. She has fostered innovation and connection by furthering interdisciplinary collaboration between institutions, such as the University of Birmingham. For example, in 2024 Professors Bijl and Robin Mason launched a joint seed fund which created a framework for continued collaboration and investment between Leiden and Birmingham.

Through her work, Hester has strengthened Leiden’s relationship with the University of Birmingham and illustrated the University’s values: ambitious, innovative, open, collaborative, and responsible. Upon her nomination, Professor Hester Bijl said: “I am deeply humbled by the tremendous honour that the University of Birmingham has bestowed upon me. In my opinion, this particular honour transcends my person. I think it is also a testament to the well-established ties between the University of Birmingham and Leiden University.

“For quite some time now, we have been collaborating on a number of very important projects, and I am happy and grateful that I have had the opportunity to play a role in this matter.”

University of Birmingham Dubai Graduations

In November this year, the University of Birmingham Dubai awarded its first honorary degree, conferring an honorary Doctorate on Professor Dr Mohamed Yousif Baniyas.

A leading academic and healthcare expert, Professor Baniyas serves as Higher Education Advisor and Director of the Commission for Academic Accreditation and National Qualification Centre at the UAE Ministry of Education, alongside roles as Professor at UAE University and Consultant Clinical Toxicologist at Tawam Hospital.

With over 100 publications and extensive leadership experience in higher education and healthcare policy, he is recognised internationally for his work in drug safety, toxicology, and medical education.

The December Graduations mark the end of the University of Birmingham’s 125^th anniversary year. Earlier this year, as part of these celebrations, the University of Birmingham welcomed back esteemed colleagues, partners, and friends to inspire, guide, or entertain members of the Class of 2025 at its graduation ceremonies. These speeches mark the transition from one period of life to another, and offer space for reflection, encouragement, and celebration.