University honour for Midge Ure
Musician and humanitarian Midge Ure will today be recognised for his efforts both on and off stage when he is presented with an honorary degree.
Ure, who has received Ivor Novello and Grammy awards, will be made a doctor of arts at Abertay University in Dundee.
The singer, who helped organise the Band Aid charity single with Bob Geldof in 1984 and was involved in this year’s Live 8 events, will then formally open the university’s new £6m (€8.73m) student centre.
As well as charity work, which saw him travel to Ethiopia last year to see volunteer projects at first hand, Ure has had musical success in bands such as Thin Lizzy and Ultravox.
He has also produced albums for other major artists and undertaken musical directorship of a series of rock concerts for The Prince’s Trust, Wicked Women for Breakthrough and in honour of Nelson Mandela.
Professor Bernard King, principal and vice-chancellor of Abertay University, said: “Midge Ure has been at the forefront of creativity and innovation in the application of technology in music and video art for 30 years.
“In the context of our rapidly-developing activities in teaching and learning in the creative arts, especially digital arts such as electronic music, computer graphics and computer games technology, there are few Scottish artists in the modern music industry with a more impressive track record.
“In addition, of course, he has been a leading figure in using the power of music to raise humanitarian issues and stimulate action by communities and governments around the world.
“We are very proud that he will accept an honorary doctorate from Abertay University in recognition of his artistic and humanitarian achievements over the past three decades.”
