Former Nato chief Lord Robertson becomes chancellor of his old university

Former Nato secretary general Lord George Robertson has been appointed as chancellor of the university where he studied more than five decades ago.

Lord Robertson, who also served as defence secretary in Tony Blair’s government, said he was “deeply honoured” to have become the new chancellor at the University of Dundee.

He graduated from the university in 1968, with an honours degree in economics, and said he had a “strong connection” with the institution going back to his student days.

He became a Labour MP, representing Hamilton and then Hamilton South between 1978 and 1999, when he entered the House of Lords.

That same year he took on his most high-profile role, becoming the 10th secretary general of Nato – a post he held until 2003.

His latest position will see Lord Robertson become the ceremonial head of the University of Dundee, presiding over academic ceremonies and acting as president of the graduates’ association.

Lord Robertson said: “I am deeply honoured to accept the position of chancellor of the University of Dundee.

“I have always held a strong connection to the university since I was a student, and opted to receive my degree from Dundee rather than St Andrews at a time when the university was forming its own strong identity, having previously been part of St Andrews.

“I look forward to helping the university, our staff, students and global community as we continue to make a great social impact and transform lives.

Amanda Millar, chairwoman of Dundee University’s governing court, said: “We are delighted that Lord Robertson will be our new chancellor.

“His bond with the university stretches back to our earliest days as an independent institution, and he brings vast experience as an international statesman that will be invaluable to us as a global university.”