RETIRED politician Anna Lo is to be honoured for her exceptional contribution to public services by The Open University.
The former Alliance Party assembly member will join more than 200 students at a degree ceremony in Belfast's Waterfront Hall today.
The OU makes honorary awards in line with its mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas, and the promotion of social justice through the development of knowledge and skills.
Ms Lo, who served South Belfast from 2007 to 2016, will receive the honorary Doctor of the University.
A member of the assembly's former employment and learning committee, she said she much-admired the university's ethos of lifelong learning and widening participation to all those who never had the chance to access higher education to fulfil their potential.
"My personal experience resonates with the values of the OU as I left school grudgingly at 17 due to economic and cultural barriers in my birthplace, Hong Kong," Ms Lo said.
"I made my way to university in Northern Ireland at the age of 41 and subsequently also studied for a master's degree on a part-time basis.
"The OU offers flexible and efficient learning pathways to enable people who are in employment or have caring responsibilities to not only enrich themselves but also society. I will be very proud to be a recipient of an honorary doctorate from such an important learning institution."
Many OU graduates have fitted studies around work or family commitments; some have a disability or live in a remote or rural community, while others did not have traditional university entry qualifications, or came from low-income households.
John D'Arcy, National Director of The OU said each graduate had shown remarkable dedication.
"They have demonstrated how part-time higher education really can transform lives," he said.
"We are also delighted to welcome Anna Lo to The Open University family."
