Honorary Degree for Nigel Osborne

UYMP congratulates Nigel Osborne, who has been awarded an honorary degree by Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh. 

Professor Osborne was presented with a Degree of Doctor of Letters, Honoris Causa by Keir Bloomer, Queen Margaret University's Chair of Court, at the Queen Margaret University graduation ceremony on Friday 5th July. The former Reid Professor of Music (1990-2012) at the University of Edinburgh, who founded the Institute of Music, Human and Social Development has worked without cease to use his musical ability to heal divisions in war-torn communities. Queen Margaret University wrote:

His keen interest in links between music and neurosciences is lifelong. Professor Osborne also used his musical gift to help heal the divisions in Bosnian society. The 1992 Bosnian war was an important turning point in Nigel's life and he made many dangerous trips to besieged Sarajevo. He set up the Mostar Sinfonietta, the first organisation in the city to draw members from among Bosniaks, Croats and Serbs. To house the orchestra, he built an arts centre using a generous donation from Luciano Pavarotti. He has also worked tirelessly for children traumatised by war - in Bosnia, then in Kosovo and later in other conflict-torn places. His tireless efforts in this area were recognised when he received the Freedom Award of the International Peace Centre in Sarajevo. ...Opera has always been important to Nigel. In 1987 he was commissioned by Glyndebourne, creating The Electrification of the Soviet Union - a setting of Pasternak's novel The Last Summer - to enthusiastic reviews. More recently, Differences in Demolition became the first opera ever to be performed in Srebrenica, the scene of the 1995 massacre. His Naciketa is being premiered in Mumbai this year. Professor Osborne's teaching extended well beyond the University of Edinburgh, involving interdisciplinary learning in schools and work with children with special needs through Tapestry, an organisation promoting creativity in education.

QMU described Nigel as an inspirational individual and Professor Petra Wend, Principal of Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, said that he had made a significant contribution to the creative industries, a key sector which QMU seeks to serve. 'Five things you need to know today' (Edinburgh Reporter) 'QMU honours Asian gastronomic pioneer and leading composer' (Queen Margaret University)