{"id":119635,"date":"2020-11-12T15:40:14","date_gmt":"2020-11-12T19:40:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=119635"},"modified":"2020-11-12T15:40:14","modified_gmt":"2020-11-12T19:40:14","slug":"gg-among-14-to-receive-honorary-doctorates-at-the-uwis-2020-graduation-ceremonies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/gg-among-14-to-receive-honorary-doctorates-at-the-uwis-2020-graduation-ceremonies\/","title":{"rendered":"GG Among 14 to receive honorary doctorates at The UWI\u2019s 2020 Graduation ceremonies"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The University of the West Indies (The UWI) will confer 14 honorary degrees at its 2020 graduation ceremonies. The ceremonies, which are scheduled to take place from January 11\u201316, 2021, in a mix of blended, virtual formats, will celebrate a graduating class of approximately 8500 students across the region.<\/p>

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In spite of the COVID-19 pandemic, The UWI graduations will retain the tradition of recognising Caribbean excellence through the conferral of honorary degrees awarded for a wide variety of fields such as music, theatre, public service, medicine, agricultural science and entrepreneurship among others. The awards were approved by the University Council, which has sanctioned over 500 honorary degrees since 1965. \u00a0The 2020 honorary graduands to be recognised for their outstanding contributions to regional and international development are:<\/p>\n

His Excellency Sir Rodney Errey Lawrence Williams \u2013 DSc<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

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Sir Rodney Errey Lawrence Williams\u2019 dedicated contribution to medicine and regional leadership have both demonstrated his commitment to the health of Caribbean society. The son of a career politician, the late Honourable Ernest Emmanuel Williams, Sir Rodney followed in his father\u2019s footsteps serving as a Member of Parliament in Antigua for 20 years.\u00a0 During his political career he served as a Minister in various ministries including holding the portfolio of Education, Sport, Youth and Community. He also served as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and an Advisor to the Prime Minister. In addition to his political career, Sir Rodney\u2019s public service included his contributions to the medical field serving as a District Medical Officer and then a private practitioner.<\/p>

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After graduating with a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) in 1976, Sir Rodney spent four decades of his professional life as a medical doctor in Family Medicine with specialisation in Aviation and Sport Medicine. From 1979 to present he has represented Antigua and Barbuda in a medical capacity in several high-level sporting arena including CARIFTA, IAAF, Pan Am and the Olympic Games.<\/p>

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In 2014, Sir Rodney Williams was appointed Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda. In the same year he was honoured with two knighthood appointments by Her Majesty the Queen\u2014 Knight Grand Cross of St. Michael<\/em> and St. George and Knight of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem. <\/em><\/p>

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In 2020, Sir Rodney was named Patron of the Commonwealth Heritage Forum<\/em> (UK). He has also been a Patron of The UWI\u2019s Global Giving programme since its inception in 2016. Together with his wife, HE Lady Williams, Sir Rodney is Patron of more than 30 non-profit organisations. He has received an honorary degree from the St. Mary\u2019s College of Maryland, USA and a Professorship from the Kazakh-Russian Medical University and the Government of Kazakhstan for his work in Sport Medicine. In 2019 he was given the Freedom to the City of London and in 2020 was named Trustee of the London based West India Committee.<\/p>

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Cave Hill Campus <\/strong><\/p>\n