University of Ulster Chancellor Dr James Nesbitt today passed on his experience as one of the UK’s most popular film and television actors to a new generation on the Magee campus.
The Chancellor discussed working on some of British television’s most popular dramas and with some of the biggest names in the movie industry during a question and answer session for Drama and Media Students.
Dr Nesbitt, who is appearing as Bofur the Dwarf in Peter Jackson’s upcoming movie adaptations of ‘The Hobbit’, was delighted to chat to staff and students at the Foyle Arts Centre.
The star of ITV’s medical drama ‘Monroe’ and Paul Greengrass’ ‘Bloody Sunday’ said: “I’m thrilled to have had the opportunity to visit the Magee campus, to meet staff as well as Drama and Media students.
“The Foyle Arts Centre is a terrific facility, enabling the School of the Creative Arts to nurture some of our brightest and most creative talent in music, dance, drama, the creative technologies, design and filmmaking.
“This is particularly important as we head towards next year’s UK City of Culture celebrations in Derry~Londonderry which the University campus at Magee will be playing a full part in.
“Derry~Londonderry has always been known for its creative talent and the School of Creative Arts has played a crucial role in unlocking the potential of Arts students at Magee.
“Fearghal Sharkey, a son of this very city, pointed out when he received an honorary doctorate from this University, investing in the arts is so important because not only does it enrich our society but it also makes a huge contribution to our economy.”
The Magee event for Drama and Media students is the latest stop in the Chancellor’s two-day tour of the University’s four campuses.
Earlier in Jordanstown, the Chancellor met leading figures in the University’s development of Connected Health and Sustainable Technologies.
Dr Nesbitt then travelled to the Belfast campus where he was briefed on the University’s dramatic plans for a new state-of-the-art campus in the heart of the city and the relocation of the bulk of its teaching and learning and research activity from Jordanstown.
The Chancellor paid a visit to the studio where Professor Greg Maguire, who worked on the computer generated imagery in James Cameron’s blockbuster ‘Avatar‘, is developing future generations of digital animators.
He also visited students and staff at the School of Architecture.
Dr Nesbitt will later this evening reflect on his career during a special ‘James Nesbitt in Conversation’ event on the Coleraine campus at the Riverside Theatre, which is celebrating its 35th birthday.
Tomorrow he will visit the University’s Centre for Molecular Biomedical Sciences in Coleraine and attend nursing awards on the campus.
For further information contact: Trina Muckian, Press Office, University of Ulster, 02871375511 or 07789757784
Photographs from the University Chancellor’s visit can be accessed at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/universityofulster/
Rolling coverage of the University Chancellor’s tour of the four campuses will be on Twitter at #nesbitt.
Notes to Editors
Dr James Nesbitt was installed as the Chancellor of the University of Ulster at a ceremony in June 2010.
In July 2003, he was awarded a DLitt Honorary Doctorate for services to drama by the University.
The Chancellor has an important role within the University, acting as a figurehead and a role model for the various constituencies the University serves.
The Chancellor presides over meetings of the University Court and can preside over meetings of Council.
Under the University’s Charter, the Chancellor has the power to confer Degrees, Diplomas, Certificates and other academic distinctions at graduation ceremonies.
Dr Nesbitt has followed in the footsteps of four Chancellors of the University – the Duke of Abercorn, Lord Grey of Naunton, the Baroness Rabbi Julia Neuberger and former City of London Lord Mayor, Sir Richard Nichols.
He is the first Chancellor of the University to have been born in Northern Ireland and to have studied at Ulster.
Dr James Nesbitt has carved out a successful movie and television career, appearing in the hit TV shows ‘Monroe’ and ‘Cold Feet’ for ITV, ‘Murphy’s Law’, ‘Occupation’ and ‘Jekyll’ for the BBC. He has also appeared on the big screen in Paul Greengrass’s ‘Bloody Sunday’, Ralph Fiennes’ ‘Coriolanus’ Peter Chelsom’s ‘Hear My Song’, Woody Allen’s ‘Match Point’, Oliver Hirschbiegel’s ‘Five Minutes of Heaven’, Emilio Estevez’s ‘The Way’ and Peter Jackson’s upcoming movie adapation of ‘The Hobbit’.
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