Graduating students snub university president who seemed to disparage usefulness of a degree in history

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.