Mr Johnston caused controversy after saying, "Society doesn't need a 21-year-old that's a sixth century historian"

HISTORY students used their graduation ceremony to snub the head of Queen's University after his controversial claim that "society doesn't need a 21-year-old that's a sixth century historian".

Several students refused to shake Patrick Johnston's hand on Tuesday and he was also given a flyer about a campaign against cutting some university courses.

The protest came weeks after the vice chancellor faced an online backlash from history students over his remarks.

Mr Johnston went on to say that society "needs a 21-year-old who really understands how to analyse things, understands the tenets of leadership and contributing to society, who is a thinker and someone who has the potential to help society drive forward".

"I don't talk about producing graduates, I talk about producing citizens that have the potential for leadership in society," he told the Belfast Telegraph.

Mr Johnston later met members of his School of History and issued an apology on Twitter.

In recent months students have also voiced concerns for the future of single-honour sociology and anthropology degrees through the 'Save Our Schools' campaign.

The graduation ceremony for the School of History and Anthropology was held yesterday afternoon.

Several students refused to shake Patrick Johnston's hand on Tuesday

Among the history graduates was Shannon Downey (21), who achieved first-class honours after three years of study.

At the time of Mr Johnston's remarks she tweeted: "Awkward moment when my VC, who will give me my degree in history in July, thinks society doesn't need historians any more."

Speaking after Tuesday's ceremony, she said she was pleased that a handful of students had used the occasion to show their concerns.

"A few students refused to shake his hand, and two students gave him a rolled up flier about the 'Save Our Schools' campaign," she said.

"I thought it was great for the students to do that in their own dignified way."

She added: "I ended up shaking his hand because I didn't want to end up making the day about him. It was a little bit awkward.

"He didn't mention anything around the comments he made, but he talked about the importance of historians."

The Green Party member from Derry said she thought the vice chancellor's comments in May were "very inappropriate".

"I do appreciate that he did apologise but I think the damage is already done," she said.

"I thought it took away from my years working hard at Queen's. The School of History has world class lecturers and without their help I wouldn't have got my first."