ACTOR AND FORMER governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger has been presented with an honorary degree during a visit to Belfast.

Schwarzenegger, 78, said it was “unbelievable” to be back in the city 60 years after his first visit.

The Austrian-born star received the honorary doctorate from Ulster University in recognition of his contributions to public service, environmental advocacy, and the arts.

Arnold Schwarzenegger stands with vice-chancellor of Ulster University Professor Paul Bartholomew PA PA

Students cheered and held signs reading “Ulster he’s back” and “Hasta La Vista Ulster”, while some brought copies of his movie Terminator 2.

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Schwarzenegger told those on the red carpet rolled out for his arrival: “Ulster University is a very important university, and it’s always a great honour to be honoured like that.”

The ceremony also featured a musical and dance performance led by Belfast TradFest Artistic Director Dónal O’Connor, which blended Irish traditional music and dancers with a nod to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Austrian heritage through Johann Strauss’ The Blue Danube Waltz and evolved into a cinematic soundscape inspired by The Terminator.

Arnold Schwarzenegger watches dancers dressed as his ‘terminator’ character PA PA

“I tell you what makes this special, because it’s kind of a 60-year anniversary and 60 years ago, in 1966 I was in Belfast for the first time, and there was this 19-year-old bodybuilder that was doing a posing exhibition here, because there was this new upcoming bodybuilding champion,” Schwarzenegger told students.

“So I came here, I was invited by Ivan Dunbar, this Irish man, I think his family is here… he passed away I’m sad to say, but that’s where my beginning was, in Ireland, in Belfast.

“And it’s wonderful to be back in Northern Ireland and to kind of get to see, this is not something that I dreamt of when I was 19-years-old, when I was here 60 years ago, that one day I will be coming here to get an honorary doctorate degree, it’s unbelievable.”

‘Education is the foundation’

Schwarzenegger gave advice to Ulster University students, saying: “The most important thing in life is to have a clear vision of what you want to accomplish. If you don’t know where you’re going, it’s very hard to get there.

I always had a clear goal – to be a bodybuilder and to be a movie star. You need a blueprint.”

He went on to say that education “is the foundation”.

“The more knowledge you have, the better you become, whether that’s in academia, business, film, or in sport. That is why institutions like Ulster University are so important – this is where you build your knowledge, your confidence, and your future. There is no better place to do that than at a reputable university like this.”

Following a ceremony to present the honorary degree, Schwarzenegger answered questions from broadcaster Holly Hamilton.