Stephen Fry

Writer and comedian Stephen Fry will be joining a record number of graduating students at the winter graduation ceremonies at Brighton Dome this Friday (28 January).

The high-achieving and highly popular personality, who can count numerous films, TV programmes, books and awards among his successes, said that "Sussex just about ruled the world" and that he "couldn't be happier or prouder" about being made an honorary Doctor of the University.

The honour is in recognition of Stephen Fry's contributions relating to campaigns for people living with bipolarity, mental-health issues and AIDS/HIV.

The eminent theoretical chemist Professor David Clary, who is Chief Scientific Advisor to the Commonwealth Office, will also be honoured when he is made Doctor of Science. Currently President of Magadalen College Oxford, Professor Clary is this year the recipient of the Royal Society of Chemistry's Liversidge Award for his many contributions to his field of research.

The winter ceremonies are mainly for those receiving postgraduate qualifications such as masters degrees, doctorates and Post Graduate Certificates of Education.

The Chancellor, Sanjeev Bhaskar, will be meeting nearly 1,000 students during the day, out of a total of more than 1,350 graduating students - a 38 per cent increase in students graduating in person at the winter ceremony.

The University's international appeal is reflected in the number of graduating students from countries outside the UK, with family and friends travelling to Brighton from every continent. More than 120 countries are represented, including Afghanistan, Mongolia, Eritrea, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Peru and Vietnam, as well as India, China, and the United States.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Michael Farthing, says: "It is wonderful to welcome students, their families and friends to the biggest winter graduation ceremonies to date for the University of Sussex.

"The University is delighted to recognise the enormous achievements in both the arts and the sciences, as represented by Stephen Fry and Professor David Clary - and we are equally proud that the Sussex name will be represented at home and in all parts of the world by our talented and high-achieving graduates."

The ceremonies will be broadcast live via the web