Leading figures from the sporting, charity and science worlds receive Honorary Doctorates from the University of Bradford this week.

Bradford rugby hero Trevor Foster MBE, Bulls coach Brian Noble, cricket writer Rachael Heyhoe-Flint MBE, mountaineer Sir Chris Bonington and data protection tsar Elizabeth France will step up with nearly 2,000 ordinary students in a series of graduation ceremonies.

The university has also chosen to local lad-made-good Mohammed Amran, who despite leaving school with no qualifications became the youngest ever Commissioner for Racial Equality.

Welsh-born Trevor Foster MBE will be made doctor of the university for his work for rugby and for young people. The 86-year-old came to Bradford in the 1930s and enjoyed a 60-year unbroken association with Bradford Northern and the Bulls. One of the all-time rugby league greats and respected the world over, he achieved every honour in the sport with Bradford, Wales and Great Britain. He retired as a player in the mid-1950s but was the prime mover in the resurrection of the club after it ceased in November 1963.

He has worked tirelessly for charity, including War on Cancer, the Cancer Support Centre, the Catholic Housing Aid Society and BRI's Fund Raising Committee and was awarded his MBE in 2001.

Joining him will be Brian Noble, who began his rugby career as a member of the Police Boys Clubs before signing for Bradford Northern (now Bulls). "Nobby" played more than 400 games for the club. He captained the Great Britain Lions and now coaches the world champions.

Mohammed Amran was appointed the youngest ever Commissioner for The Commission for Racial Equality at the age of 22. Coming from an inner city area of Bradford, he left school with no formal qualifications but later obtained a BTEC first and BTEC National Diploma and a qualification in Youth and Community work.

His honour comes in recognition of ten years' voluntary work for his community. During the Bradford disturbances of 1995 he was on the front line of conflict resolution. He set up the Young People's Forum to give a voice to the young people of Bradford.

He has volunteered, and has held numerous titles, on almost 30 organisations.

Rachael Heyhoe-Flint MBE will be made doctor of the university for her contributions to women's cricket in general and for captaining the England Women's team from 1966-77.

Britain's best-known mountaineer, Sir Chris Bonington, is made master of letters. He has led and been on 19 Himalayan expeditions, including four to Everest, which he conquered in 1985 at the age of 50.

Elizabeth France, formerly Data Protection Commissioner and now Information Commissioner, is made doctor of laws. Under her regime, privacy and data protection moved higher up the political agenda.

Honorary doctorates are also being awarded to Brian Critchley in recognition of his work to create the high-brightness video projector and Emeritus Professor Rosemary Cramp for her work in championing the cause of science in archaeology.

Professor Chris Taylor, vice-chancellor of the university, said: "This year's Honorary Graduates have excelled in their particular fields. It is fitting their commitment, talent and hard work are recognised with the conferment of these degrees. "