Cate Blanchett receives honorary doctorate from Macquarie University

SYDNEY, Sept. 29 (UPI) -- Australian actress Cate Blanchett received an honorary Doctor of Letters degree from Sydney's Macquarie University on Thursday.

The 45-year-old actress was honored in recognition of her contributions to cinema and philanthropic endeavors and was dubbed a "driver of innovation and exploration" at the ceremony.

"The arts are what we stay alive for, what we work for all week, what we dream about, what connects us and indeed, what some will say makes us human," Blanchett said in her inspiring acceptance speech.

"Within this broad church is housed a myriad of professions -- professions which some of you will participate in, help change, shape and evolve and I'd like to say today that it is the arts that have always been the driver of innovation and exploration."

The Oscar-winning actress went on to note the importance of supporting "change, adaptation and experimentation" as this is the "only way that a scientist can find the mental space to explore and innovate."

"So remember when someone asks, 'What the hell can you do with an arts degree?', ask them '"hat can the world do without one?'" she concluded.