Head of Universities UK’s ‘delight’ as he receives Honorary Doctorate from University

The Chief Executive of Universities UK praised the University of Bolton for its Covid-19 response as he received an Honorary Doctorate. Alistair Jarvis received the honour of Doctor of Education for his outstanding contribution to Higher Education and particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mr. Jarvis said he was “flattered to have been recognised in this way”. He added: “I am delighted to be joining the University of Bolton community.” Mr. Jarvis has led the representative body for the UK’s 140 universities since 2017 and his primary focus is influencing policy, political engagement, relationships with members, and organisational leadership.

He has been a member of the senior management team at UUK since 2013, previously as Deputy Chief Executive and Director of External Relations. Mr. Jarvis received the award in a unique Covid-secure ceremony which was being filmed for a special movie documenting this year’s innovative ‘Alternative Graduation’.

The University is one of the only ones in the UK to have invited graduands from this year and last to be presented with their degrees in person and their gowns, giving them the chance to have official photographs of their special day.

Mr. Jarvis said: “I know from my work across the university sector that all universities have faced many challenges in recent times." “I want to congratulate the staff of the University of Bolton for another successful year. Your dedication to your students and community is inspiring.”

He added: “It has been fantastic to see students being given such a full experience in Bolton in such difficult times. I feel it will be invaluable for students to have the chance of that full experience.

“I want to congratulate everyone who is graduating this summer after a very challenging couple of years. Your hard work and your resilience are impressive. Your success through difficult times will stand you in good stead for whatever challenges the future may bring.

“Thank you for inviting me to be part of your graduation celebrations. It is such an honour to be with you.” Before joining UUK, Mr. Jarvis was a Director at the University of Birmingham and has previously held communications, campaigning, and political relations roles for national organisations in both the public and private sectors.

Mr. Jarvis has been a member of government taskforces focused on research and knowledge exchange sustainability; EU exit and universities and addressing the challenges of covid-19 for universities.

He has previously held voluntary roles as Deputy Chair of the board of Wonkhe, a higher education policy media company; a member of the Financial Services Skills Taskforce; a steering group member for the Industrial Strategy Council prosperity mapping project; as a Commissioner of the UPP Civic Universities Commission; and a member of the judging panel for the Times Higher and Guardian University Awards.

Universities UK is both a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity. In addition to the core membership body, six smaller subsidiaries or related charities and companies are part of the UUK Group.