Jamaicans Adam Stewart and Professor Orlando Patterson are among 16 people from across the Caribbean who will be conferred with honorary degrees by The University of the West Indies (The UWI) this year for their contributions to several areas including sport, culture, law, business, and science.

Stewart, the executive chairman of Sandals Resorts International and the Appliance Traders Group, which includes the Jamaica Observer, is being conferred with the Doctor of Laws (LLD) for his work as an entrepreneur and philanthropist, The UWI said in a news release on Tuesday, August 30, 2022.

Professor Patterson — whose work has shed light on contemporary racial and ethnic issues, explored the historical relations between slavery and freedom and examined the problems of development in Jamaica with special reference to the urban poor and educational reform — will be conferred with the Doctor of Letters (DLitt).

Senator Dr Rosemary Moodie and Diane Jaffee will also be honoured during the graduation ceremony at the Mona campus set for November 3-5.

Senator Moodie will be conferred with the Doctor of Science degree for paediatric medicine and philanthropy, while Jaffee will receive the Doctor of Laws for her work in finance.

The UWI said that this year’s honorary graduands join the ranks of a prestigious list of fewer than 500 people who have been awarded since 1985.

The schedule for the 2022 ceremonies and the list of honorary graduands are:

Five Islands Campus – Saturday, October 8, 2022

· Sir Richard Benjamin Richardson of Antigua and Barbuda, a former West Indies cricket captain, for his contribution to Sport – Doctor of Laws;

· Alston Becket Cyrus of St Vincent and the Grenadines for his work as a soca artiste/composer – Doctor of Letters;

Open Campus – Saturday October 15, 2022

· Dr Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry of Dominica for her work in international labour and maritime law – Doctor of Laws;

· Sir Hugh Anthony Rawlins of St Kitts and Nevis for contributions to the judicial arena – Doctor of Laws;

Cave Hill Campus – Saturday, October 22, 2022

· Dr Joy St John of Barbados for her work in medicine and public health leadership – Doctor of Science;

· Ambassador Gabriel Abed of Barbados/UAE for entrepreneurship and pioneering digital currency – Doctor of Laws;

· E Neville Isdell of Ireland for contributions to business and philanthropy – Doctor of Laws;

St Augustine Campus – October 27 to 29

· Dr Shakuntala Haraksingh Thilsted of Trinidad and Tobago for contributions to agricultural science and nutrition – Doctor of Science;

· Ingrid LA Lashley of Trinidad and Tobago for her work in corporate banking/finance – Doctor of Laws;

· Rosalind Gabriel of Trinidad and Tobago for her work as a band leader/entertainer – Doctor of Letters;

· Dr Wayne AI Frederick of Trinidad and Tobago for contributions to surgical science – Doctor of Science;

· Lord Robert Nelson of Trinidad and Tobago for contributions to culture and calypso – Doctor of Letters.

The Open Campus will retain the hosting of a virtual graduation ceremony. The others will return to face-to-face ceremonies.