Stewart 'makes it so' for new graduates

Star Trek actor Patrick Stewart slipped into a different role yesterday when he presented degrees to 190 Hong Kong graduates of the University of Huddersfield.

Stewart is chancellor of the English university, which has nearly 300 students studying for degrees at Caritas Francis Hsu College.

'Whenever I meet graduates of the university I'm deeply impressed by their abilities and maturity,' he said. 'This is particularly so for the graduates I've met here in Hong Kong. I'm honoured to spend time with them and hear about their successes and plans for the future.'

Also in attendance, apart from the relatives and friends of the students, were Bob Cryan, vice-chancellor of the university; the Reverend Michael Yeung, chief executive of Caritas Hong Kong; Amy Chan, head of Caritas Community and Higher Education Services; and Reggie Kwan, college president of Caritas Francis Hsu College and Caritas Bianchi College of Careers.

Stewart, who played Captain Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation and is famous for his role as Professor Xavier in the X-Men films, was born and raised near the university in West Yorkshire. This was the first time he had officiated at an academic ceremony outside Britain.