Glittering prizes

Umberto Eco , professor of semiotics at the University of Bologna, has received an honorary doctorate from the Open University at a ceremony in Brussels.

Wynne Harlen , retired director of the Scottish Council for Research in Education and now consultant and researcher in science education, and Pamela Munn , associate dean of the faculty of education at Edinburgh University, have received fellowships of the Scottish Council for Research in Education .

Leeds Metropolitan University has awarded honorary degrees to: actor Patrick Stewart ; Tanni Grey-Thompson , nine times gold medallist at the Paralympics; Carol Vorderman , television presenter; Simon Lindley , master of music at Leeds Parish Church and president of the Royal College of Organists; Sir Kenneth Morrison , chairman of Morrisons Supermarkets; and Mike Wilkinson , former university secretary and clerk to the board of governors.

The Scottish Further Education Unit 's sponsored research awards have been awarded to: Kate Coffield , team leader, student services, Dundee College; Wendy MacAdie , project manager, Jewel and Esk Valley College; Mary Wallace , lecturer in foundation skills and social science, Lauder College; Mary-Jane Bird , lecturer, student development unit, Reid Kerr College; Sarah Austin , senior lecturer, Stevenson College; George Ennis , senior lecturer, Langside College; Hannah Doughty , head of languages, West Lothian College.