Rosemary Kelly OBE, the former chairwoman of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, has been awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Letters (DLitt) by the University of Ulster.
The award is in recognition of her "sustained and exceptional leadership in the field of arts and culture", according to the university.
She is also being recognised for her contribution to the work of the university, having served as a member of its council for the past decade.
Chairwoman of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland from 2003-2011, Ms Kelly is a former head of public affairs and company secretary for BBC Northern Ireland. She was also a founding member of the Irish Film and Television Academy.
Until recently, she chaired Help the Aged Northern Ireland and was also a trustee of its London-based international board.
She is currently chairwoman of the British Council in Northern Ireland and a governor of the Irish Times Trust, which she joined in 2005.