Seventeen influencers who have made outstanding contributions regionally and internationally within their respective fields will be awarded honorary degrees by The University of the West Indies (The UWI) in 2018.

As is tradition, the honorary graduands represent a cross-section of eminent people in the arts, sciences and other fields. Their degrees which have been approved by the University Council, will be conferred at The UWI’s 2018 graduation ceremonies and presented by Chancellor Robert Bermudez.

The schedule of graduation ceremonies begins October 13 at the Open Campus in Saint Lucia, and continues on October 20 at the Cave Hill Campus, October 25-27 at the St Augustine Campus and November 2-3 at the Mona Campus. Each ceremony will be streamed live allowing friends, family and well-wishers to view the proceedings.

The following is the complete list of UWI honorary graduands for 2018, and each of their nominated honorary degrees follows:

Open Campus

• The Honourable Dame Janice Mesadis Pereira DBE from the British Virgin Islands for her work in Law – LLD
• Mr Larry Quinlan from St Kitts for his work in Leadership – LLD

Cave Hill Campus

• The Honourable Justice Adrian Dudley Saunders from St Vincent and the Grenadines for his work in Law – LLD
• Professor Ebenezer Oduru Owusu from Ghana for his contribution as an Agricultural Scientist – DSc

St Augustine Campus

• Mrs Paula Lucie-Smith from Trinidad and Tobago for her contributions as a teacher, advocate and pioneer – LLD
• The Honourable Hubert Ingraham from The Bahamas for his work as a Politician – LLD
• Mr Shivnarine Chanderpaul from Guyana for his achievements in the sport of cricket – LLD
• Mr Winston A. Bailey, OBE (Mighty Shadow) from Trinidad and Tobago for his contributions as a Musical Composer – DLitt

Mona Campus

• Mr Michael Anthony Holding from Jamaica for his achievements in the sport of cricket – LLD
• The Honourable Kenneth S. Benjamin, OJ, CD from Jamaica for his leadership in the field of Security – LLD
• Mrs Donette St M. Chin-Loy Chang from Jamaica for her philanthropy – LLD
• Mr H. Carl McCall from the United States of America for his leadership in Public Service – DLitt
• Professor Shirley J. Thompson from Jamaica/UK, for her ground-breaking work as a classical music composer, artistic director and educator - DLitt
• Ms Grace B. Jones from Jamaica for her achievements as an entertainer, model and global trendsetter – DLitt
• Dr Karl Wellington from Jamaica for his contributions as an Agricultural Scientist – DSc
• Mr Lloyd A. Williams from Jamaica for his contributions in leadership – LLD
• Mr Montgomery Bernard “Monty” Alexander from Jamaica for his achievements as a Musician - DLitt

Notes to the editor:

Graduand: Descriptive title given to a person who is about to receive an academic degree
Hon DSc: Honorary Doctor of Science
Hon DLitt: Honorary Doctor of Literature
Hon LLD: Honorary Doctor of Laws

About The UWI

For the past 70 years The University of the West Indies (The UWI) has provided service and leadership to the Caribbean region. In 2018, The UWI celebrates its evolution from 1948 as a university college in Jamaica with 33 medical students to an internationally respected regional university with near 50,000 students. Today, The UWI is the largest, most longstanding higher education provider in the Commonwealth Caribbean, with four campuses in Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and an Open Campus. The UWI has faculty and students from more than 40 countries and collaborative links with 160 universities globally; it offers undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Food & Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities & Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science & Technology, Social Sciences and Sport. Its seven priority focal areas are linked closely to the priorities identified by CARICOM and take into account such over-arching areas of concern to the region as environmental issues, health and wellness, gender equity and the critical importance of innovation. The UWI has been a pivotal force in every aspect of Caribbean development; residing at the centre of all efforts to improve the well-being of our people. As the regional institution commemorates its 70th anniversary milestone, it will celebrate its students, faculty, administrators, alumni, governments, and partners in the public and private sector. The anniversary commemoration will focus on reflection as well as projection for the future with an emphasis on social justice and the economic transformation of the region. Website: www.uwi.edu and www.uwi.edu/70 . (Please note that the proper name of the university is The University of the West Indies, inclusive of the “The”, hence The UWI.)