Sir Alec Broers, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, was elected to the Fellowship of the Imperial College, while Professor Murray Brennan of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre, New York, and Sir Peter Lampl, founder and chairman of the Sutton Trust, were awarded the degree of Doctor of Science honoris causa.

Welcoming the new Fellow and honorary graduates along with 1,100 graduands, rector Sir Richard Sykes described the ceremony as 'a celebration of talent, hard work and achievement.'

"It is universities like ours, ones that are world class, that actually drive innovation in industry," he added. "We do this in a number of ways.

"Firstly by producing highly qualified graduates attuned to the needs of industry; secondly by generating intellectual property; and thirdly by our ability to conduct multidisciplinary research that extends or removes existing borders between research disciplines.

"That is what happens when you bring the brightest and best together and give them the facilities they need to push the boundaries of knowledge forward."

Fellows, recognised by the Council as 'persons of distinction and persons who have rendered significant services to the College or to the community,' are permitted to use the letters FIC after their name.

The Hon DSc is awarded to people whom the College wishes to honour for their achievements in their field.