Kirani James Among 13 Honorees to Receive UWI Honorary Doctorates

by: Michael Bascombe

Kirani James of Grenada is among 13 individuals set to receive honorary doctorates from the University of the West Indies (UWI) during upcoming graduation ceremonies across the university’s five campuses.
In an official statement, UWI confirmed its ongoing tradition of recognising distinguished individuals from the Caribbean for their outstanding contributions to the region. According to the University Council, this year’s recipients have excelled in various fields, including advocacy, medicine, tourism, culture, sports, business, education, science, and music.

Kirani James, renowned for his athletics achievements, will be conferred the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD). James, who made history as Grenada’s first Olympic gold medalist and remains a prominent figure in international track and field, is being celebrated for his excellence in sports and bringing global recognition to his home country.

Kirani James is one of only nine athletes in history to win world titles at the youth, junior, and senior levels, and he ranks among the most decorated 400m runners of all time.

His impressive achievements include three World Championship medals (Gold in 2011, Bronze in 2015, and Silver in 2022) and three Olympic medals (Gold in 2012, Silver in 2016, and Bronze in 2020), making him the first athlete to secure three individual Olympic medals in the 400m. Until the 2024 Paris Games, James was Grenada’s first and only Olympic medallist.

Beyond athletics, James holds a Bachelor’s degree in General Business. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Windward Islands Research & Education Foundation (WINDREF), where he contributes to the Sport for Health programme.

Other notable recipients include cricket legend Sir Curtly Ambrose from Antigua and Barbuda and Jamaican pollster Don Anderson, who will also receive honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) degrees. The university highlighted that these honorary degrees are a testament to the remarkable achievements and lasting impact these individuals have had in their respective fields.

The graduation ceremonies will occur between October 12 and November 9, 2024, across UWI’s campuses in Antigua, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, and globally via the UWI Open Campus. Each campus will celebrate the honorees in various ceremonies, showcasing the diverse contributions that enrich Caribbean society.