HE is more used to handing out the awards but the Chancellor of Glasgow University has become the first in the post to receive one.

Professor Sir Kenneth Calman was surrounded by his family as he graduated with a Masters of Letters (Research) degree.

He awarded two honorary degrees in his chancellor's robes yesterday before changing into the ceremonial attire of a graduand and lining up with students to get his own certificate.

Also being honoured yesterday was a pensioner thought to be Scotland's oldest graduate who collected a PhD aged 84.

Great-grandfather David Dick proved you are never too old to learn as he received his award from Edinburgh's Napier University at the city's Usher Hall.

The Edinburgh-born octogenarian, who left school at 14, said he had overcome generational differences to have a "wonderful" student experience.

"At first I think my fellow students were a bit surprised to see this funny, old guy sitting in their lectures," he said. "They were very kind to me though, even when in one lecture this TV show called the X Factor came up – I'd never even heard of it. Of course, apparently it is very popular so that made the rest of the class erupt in fits of laughter."

Dr Dick's degree, for his thesis on gender equality in Scottish universities, is his fifth university qualification. He has a masters in history and has published books exploring the origins of Edinburgh's street names.

Former punk singer Richard Jobson, who was in Dunfermline band The Skids, was recognised for his contribution to the arts with an Honorary Doctorate of the Arts at Napier.

Jobson said: "I am deeply honoured. The university is at the heart of the future of the Scottish film industry – something I feel passionate about – and I believe this will be the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship."