He received the award at UCA Farnham’s graduation ceremony on 29 June 2010 at Guildford Cathedral.

Prof Vyas is the director of the National Institute of Design of India (NID).

His 25 years of professional and teaching experience in different spheres of design made him the prime candidate for the vacant role in April 2009.

He is Member Secretary to the India Design Council which is part of the Indian Ministry of Commerce & Industry.

Paul Coyle, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean at the University, said: “Professor Pradyumna Vyas is a well respected designer who cares very deeply about Higher Education.

“We are delighted to award him with an honorary degree and I am sure he will be an inspiration to our graduating students.”

Prof Vyas said: “I am extremely honoured to receive this award and to be recognised by the University for the Creative Arts at a time when India is set to celebrate 50 years of formal design education at NID.

“This is a great encouragement to take forward collaborative research, bringing global perspective in design for inclusive and sustainable growth.”

The University for the Creative Arts has 7,000 students, studying at campuses in Canterbury, Epsom, Farnham, Maidstone and Rochester.

This year it has presented honorary degrees to Vogue editor, Alexandra Shulman, and ceramicist, Edmund de Waal.

Broadcaster and humanitarian, Bob Geldof KBE, will receive his award at UCA Canterbury’s graduation ceremony on Thursday 22 July 2010. Filmmaker Parminder Vir will be presented with her degree on Friday 9 July at All Saints Church in Maidstone.