Dr Shiv Pande has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) in recognition of his contribution to the community as a GP and medical educator.

At a graduation ceremony held in Preston's Guildhall, the University Orator described Dr Pande’s achievements to a packed audience of graduating students, parents and invited guests. He said: “Rarely has a medical doctor achieved so much in so many areas, not only within his own profession, but also in our broader community. As a dedicated medical practitioner, tireless charity campaigner, accomplished broadcaster, and distinguished academic, Shiv Pande MBE represents a superb role model for any citizen of multicultural Britain.”

Born and educated in India, Dr Pande obtained his MBBS and MS (General Surgery) degrees on the subcontinent before moving to the UK in 1971, where he worked in cardio-thoracic surgery at London Chest Hospital, Broad Green Hospital and Fazakerley Hospital, Liverpool until 1974.

In 1975 he entered general practice, eventually retiring in 2005 after 30 years.

Addressing the Guild Hall audience Dr Pande responded to the UCLan Orator by saying: “For 44 years the North West has been my chosen place for my professional, social, academic, charity, and community work. It is a place where I have received great affection, respect and love from all sections of the British and Asian communities. “People in the North West, especially those in Liverpool, are extremely friendly and helpful and I have enjoyed working as an NHS GP, a magistrate, broadcaster and charity worker all these years.”

Turning to UCLan’s graduating students he added: “Today is a momentous occasion because it marks the ending of a whole era of your lives. Your years at UCLan have been special because they have helped you to become the individuals you are today. I am sure the experience has made you more determined, self-confident and very committed young men and women.”

In recent years Shiv has been active in the academic sphere, where he has been a member of UCLan’s student employability and entrepreneurship working group. He has also played a key role on the working group of UCLan’s prestigious new Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) which has successfully recruited its first cohort of students and will commence in September 2015.