In the wake of the unprecedented postponement of the 2020 Graduation Ceremonies to January 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions, The UWI was able to return to its regular graduation schedule later that year. The 2021 graduation ceremonies were held in October and November with a series of six virtual ceremonies. As usual, they were broadcast live on UWItv’s cable channels on Flow EVO, as well as on The UWI’s website, Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Approximately 10,228 graduands had their degrees conferred upon them virtually by Chancellor Robert Bermudez.
Two special convocations were held in the review period. The first was to confer an Honorary Doctor of Science degree (DSc) on Dr. Ruby Lake-Richards, one of the first 33 medical students who attended The UWI (then University College of the West Indies). Now 99 years old, she is also the first female UWI graduate from Antigua and Barbuda. The ceremony, hosted by the Five Islands Campus, marked the first honorary degree awarded at the University’s newest campus.
In the second convocation, a Doctor of Laws degree was conferred upon on Her Excellency Dame Sandra Prunella Mason, GCMG, DA, QC, Governor-General of Barbados.
Her Excellency had been among the first cohort of students enrolled at the Cave Hill Campus, Faculty of Law, which was established 50 years ago. She told family, friends and UWI representatives present that her graduating class owes an immeasurable debt of gratitude to the great regional institution.
“As I accept this honour this evening, I do so with humility and with the unerring recognition that I represent not only myself but the Class of 1973 of the Faculty of Law of The University of the West Indies, with whom I began that pioneering journey some 50 years ago,” she said.
“Our gratitude is more because attendance at The University of the West Indies results in a complete education underpinned by the listed core values which guide the University’s mandate. The values of integrity, intellectual freedom, excellence, civic responsibility, accessibility, diversity, and equity,” Dame Sandra added.
In the continued tradition of recognising Caribbean excellence through the conferral of honorary degrees, The UWI also celebrated 14 eminent persons for their outstanding contributions to regional and international development.
Dr. George A. Mansoor
(physician, educator and entrepreneur) – Doctor of Science (DSc)
Sir Anderson Montgomery Everton Roberts
(former cricketer) – Doctor of Laws (LLD)
Mr. George S. Willie
(international auditor, leader and philanthropist) – Doctor of Laws (LLD)
Mr. Nicholas Brancker
(musician, reggae producer) – Doctor of Letters (DLitt)
Sir Cuthbert Gordon Greenidge
(former cricketer) – Doctor of Laws (LLD)
Mr. Desmond Leo Haynes
(former cricketer) – Doctor of Laws (LLD)
Mr. Ray Anthony Holman
(musician, educator) – Doctor of Letters (DLitt)
Dr. Roshan A. Parasram
(medical practitioner) – Doctor of Science (DSc)
Mr. Sieunarine Persad Coosal
(entrepreneur, philanthropist) – Doctor of Laws (LLD)
Mrs. Lynette Seebaran-Suite
(attorney-at-law) – Doctor of Laws (LLD)
Ms. Alia Shanee Atkinson
(sport icon) – Doctor of Laws (LLD)
Mr. Gary ‘Butch’ Craig Hendrickson
(philanthropist) – Doctor of Laws (LLD)
Mr. Linton Kwesi Johnson
(poet) – Doctor of Letters (DLitt)
The Honourable Oliver Adolphus Samuels
(cultural icon) – Doctor of Letters (DLitt)
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