Dr Feargal Sharkey: It's going to happen

A graduation ceremony at the Magee campus in Londonderry will see the honour conferred on the former Undertone singer.

Former frontman of the seminal Londonderry punk group The Undertones, Sharkey provided the vocals to such pop-punk classics as Teenage Kicks, Jimmy Jimmy, True Confessions and My Cousin Kevin.

Community leader Paddy Doherty (familiarly known as "Paddy Bogside") and Pat Hume, wife of the former SDLP leader Nobel Laureate Professor John Hume, will also be honoured in recognition of their service to the community.

Mr Sharkey, who is now CEO of UK Music, an umbrella organisation which represents the collective interests of the UK's commercial music industry will receive the degree of Doctor of Letters ( DLitt); Mr Doherty and Mrs Hume will receive the degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD) .

Professor Richard Barnett, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ulster,

said: "The University is delighted to be able to honour the achievements of these distinguished individuals, who have all made an outstanding contribution to society through their commitment to excellence in their chosen fields of endeavour.

"We look forward to welcoming them - and their fellow graduates - to our graduation ceremonies this summer."

Elsewhere the University of Ulster is to honour policing leaders Sir Hugh Orde and Professor Sir Desmond Rea, who head the list of distinguished figures from the worlds of culture, science, business and public life who will receive honours from the University of Ulster at its graduation ceremonies this summer.

The top policeman, who led the transition from the RUC to the PSNI will share the Waterfront stage with the former University of Ulster academic who chaired the Policing Board from its inception until spring 2009.

Both will receive the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD).

Writer Colin Bateman, will receive the degree of Doctor of Letters (DLitt).

He has published many comic novels over his career, most recently "Day of the Jack Russell."

Former Northern Ireland Office Minister Sir Richard Needham,will receive the degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD), as will legal expert Denis Moloney .

From the worlds of business and science come John Crossl, founder of the Crossl Car Company in Holywood., Co Down; Denis Rooney, Chairman of the International Fund for Ireland, and David Kirk , Belfast-born Silicon Valley IT entrepreneur. All three will receive the honorary degree of Doctor of Science (DSc).