An international leader in higher education has been celebrated as part of UWS's summer graduations. 

Professor Colin Riordan CBE, who is the Secretary General and Chief Executive of The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), was celebrated as part of a ceremony taking place at Paisley Abbey today (Thursday 10 July 2025).

Colin began his career in education teaching English as a foreign language at Julius-Maximilians-Universitat Wurzburg in Germany. He became Professor of German at Newcastle University in 1998, later being appointed Pro Vice-Chancellor and Provost of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in August 2005.

In October 2007, he took up the post of Vice-Chancellor at the University of Essex and then in September 2012, he became President and Vice-Chancellor of Cardiff University until August 2023. During his time at Cardiff University, he launched five new flagship research centres, each focusing on a world issue. These include resolving chronic diseases; the scarcity of water; the prevention of crime; studying big data; and creating smarter energy systems.

Professor Riordan has undertaken numerous leadership roles within the higher education sector, including within Universities UK, UCAS, Advance HE, UUKi, Universities Wales and The Conversation. From 2021 to 2023, he was Chair of the IDP Connect Strategic Advisory Board.

In his role as Secretary General and Chief Executive of the ACU, he leads a global network of universities that share a commitment to building a better world through collaboration in higher education. As the world’s first and oldest international university network, the ACU has been bringing universities together from across the Commonwealth for more than 100 years. The ACU has over 400 member universities in more than 40 countries across the Commonwealth.

Stephanie Pitticas, Vice-Principal (Internationalisation) at UWS, delivered Colin’s laureation, which reflected on his inspirational career in the higher education sector. 

Discussing his Honorary Doctorate from UWS, Professor Colin Riordan said: “It’s a privilege to receive this award from University of the West of Scotland - an institution I admire, and whose focus on tackling global challenges reflects many of the priorities I have championed in my role at the ACU, and in my various leadership positions throughout the years. 

“UWS’s commitment to addressing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals – both in its learning and teaching and through its distinctive research – is profoundly inspiring. It was fantastic to be part of the graduation ceremony today and to be recognised by this wonderful University.”

UWS’s commitment to addressing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals – both in its learning and teaching and through its distinctive research – is profoundly inspiring.

Professor Colin Riordan CBE

Professor James Miller, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of UWS, said: “Our summer graduation ceremonies are one of the main highlights of UWS’s annual calendar; celebrating the amazing achievements of our students as they move on to the next chapter of their life, amongst their families and peers. As well as our students, it is fantastic to recognise the achievements of our Honorary Doctorate, Colin Riordan. Colin is a truly inspirational leader, who, through his outstanding contributions to higher education globally, has made significant impacts in his many impressive roles – particularly for his focus on resolving world issues.”

Colin is a truly inspirational leader, who, through his outstanding contributions to higher education globally, has made significant impacts in his many impressive roles.

Professor James Miller, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of UWS