‘To say I’m incredibly honoured, blessed and completely humbled is an understatement. This is still very surreal, and I don’t still believe it quite yet. I’m particularly honoured to have been offered this Doctorate Degree in recognition of my work in helping children love maths.
I was shocked to receive an email in December titled something like “Offer of Honorary Doctorate Degree” doesn’t do justice to how I felt. What? I thought they made a mistake. I opened the mail, closed it immediately, before opening it again 15 mins later to read properly. My son was the only one home with me that day. For lack of a better word, I’ll just say he was also amazed! I had to think so hard about what my reply should be to this email! Just simply out of shock! I could not tell anyone! I didn’t tell my parents for 5 days or more. I simply couldn’t speak. 😂
This was my same old lovely University for which I am an Alumni – where I finished 19 years ago and 17 years respectively. I studied both my BSc and my MSc from London Metropolitan University (formerly London Guildhall University in my time).
Most of the people who know me will be surprised as I have really only told my 27 guests who attended the Graduation Ceremony with me. Not sure how London Metropolitan University even allowed me 27 guests! My guests were also treated like VIPs and we were given two special rooms and a bar area (one for refreshments – one for professional pics with the University photographers). Apparently, mine is the largest cohort of guests they’ve ever had. Largest before my graduation, they had 13 guests from one other person a while ago! (Slight embarrassed when I was told ha ha ha).
Still trying to get it all to sink in. At the Graduation Ceremony, sitting on STAGE facing the audience, right next to the Vice Chancellor who was on my left, and the Pro Vice Chancellor right next to me to on my right, I didn’t know whether to be terrified or excited! God knows I didn’t breath for the whole 90 mins or so! I wasn’t prepared for that at all. The academic staff were seated behind us.
Myself and the 2nd Honorary lady were wearing pretty much the same gown/clothes as VC and were seated separately with the VC and PVC, from all the other “proper” Graduates. Apparently the University had 1,600 “proper” graduates over 2 days of ceremonies. I had thought I’d be seated with all the other graduates. I was so surprised to be led to the academic procession at the start of the Graduation Ceremony event at incredible Barbican Hall. Standing right in front of the V.C in the procession. What a lovely lady Professor! She was extremely humble and so inspirational!
Only 5 of us were in the academic procession. I now know what it means to be treated as VIP, or what it means to be honoured. The 5 of us were also seated on front row on stage where PVC, myself, VC, the other lovely Honorary PhD lady and the Uni Secretary (in that order) were facing all the lovely graduates (BSc, MSc, PhD) who were all seated opposite us in the audience on the left side. I told them in my speech, that they were the real heroes! They were! They worked extremely hard. I remember my BSc and MSc days!
I am so enthralled that my kids were in the audience and witnessed this incredible day and moment. To all my family and friends, THANK YOU for coming out to celebrate with me. Words fail me.’
