A leading pioneer within the Media industry has been presented with an honorary degree from the University of Leicester.

The recipients of honorary degrees from the University were this year drawn from the worlds of business, academia, science, law and the media.

Ms Vijay Sharma led the development of the national digital radio station BBC Asian Network from its embryonic roots on BBC Radio Leicester. 

Vijay transformed the local radio programming targeting the newly arrived South Asian immigrant community on BBC Radio Leicester from a few hours a week into a national radio station targeting the settled British Asian diaspora.

She said, "I am pleased and honoured to receive this award from the University of Leicester, which has demonstrated a strong commitment to widening participation and paving the way for broader accessibility. 

"I have been associated with the University for a number of years and am particularly proud of my involvement with the fundraising for the Cardiovascular Research Centre Appeal and the Membership of the University's Medical School Professional Concerns Group."

BBC Asian Network has won several radio industry community awards, both local and national, for their excellent news and programmes, including from Sony, Gillards, Music Industry and Commission for Racial Equality ‘Race in Media’ awards. Vijay won the Lloyds/TSB Asian Jewel Award in 2006 and was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters degree from De Montfort University in 2012 for services to broadcasting and for promoting cultural diversity.

Prior to joining the BBC, Vijay worked as a social worker in Nottingham, an advice worker in Coventry and a Race Relations Advisor for Leicestershire County Council. Vijay has also obtained a Masters in Social Work from Warwick University.

Vijay has been involved with the voluntary sector in Leicestershire, such as the Ajani Women's Centre, is a Trustee of the Haymarket Theatre, the Highfields and Belgrave Law Centre and ASRA (the Asian Sheltered Residential Accommodation). 

In recent years Vijay has undertaken a number of Non -Executive and Trustee roles such as with the East Midlands Strategic Health Authority, Midlands and East Strategic Health Authority, Culture East Midlands and the Board of Government Office West Midlands.

Currently Vijay is Trustee of the Leicester Theatre Trust - Curve Theatre,  Gingerbread, The Caxton Foundation and Non-Executive Director of the Leicestershire and Rutland Probation Trust.

Vijay is a University of Leicester Council Member and a member of the Audit Committee and the Nominations Committee. Vijay is active member of the University of Leicester's Development Board which has been active in fundraising for the Cardiovascular Research Centre at Glenfield and the new Centre for Medical.