Game of Thrones supremos to be handed honorary degrees by Ulster universaity

American screenwriters and producers David Benioff and Daniel B Weiss will be recognised in a special ceremony.

Large parts of the fantasy drama were shot in Northern Ireland. Season six of the hugely successful HBO production will be released on Monday.

The university vice chancellor, Professor Paddy Nixon, said: “From Daniel Weiss and David Benioff, who have placed Northern Ireland’s creative industries capability on the global stage, to the pioneering efforts of Ulster alumna Betty Hutchon, who has enhanced the lives of incalculable numbers of newborn and pre-term infants, each of our honorary graduates has a special relevance and connection to the aspirations of today’s students.

“Our honorary degree recipients not only represent the diversity of the sectors in which our graduates are employed, they represent the determination, confidence, talent and creativity which we know our students can and will emulate as they progress in their chosen careers.”

A total of 13 individuals will be awarded honorary degrees by Ulster University this year.

Receiving honours in recognition of their services to the community are civil rights campaigner Ivan Cooper; Auxiliary Bishop of Down and Connor, Dr Anthony Farquhar; Claire Keatinge, the commissioner for older people; chief executive of the WAVE Trauma Centre, Sandra Peake; Sister Mary Turley of the Flax Trust; and environmental conservationist, maritime historian and kayaker Robin Ruddock.

Professor Robert Pinker, the acting chairman of the Press Complaints Commission; Supreme Court judge Lady Brenda Hale; president of Philadelphia State University Dr Stephen Spinelli; occupational therapist Betty Hutchon; and businessman Terry Cross will be recognised for special contributions across education, health, law, business and public life.