The University College of the Western Cape, as it was known, opened its doors in February 1960. A decade later, the institution gained independent university status and was allowed to award its own degrees and diplomas. On 9 February 1990, UWC’s first logo was registered with the Bureau of Heraldry – elements of which are evident in the current UWC crest.
MESSAGE from THE CHANCELLOR
ARCHBISHOP THABO MAKGOBA
As Chancellor of the University of the Western Cape, I am deeply honoured to be part of this momentous occasion, which celebrates individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to our society and the world.
In and with heartfelt recognition and gratitude, we will bestow honorary doctorates and a gold medal on seven exceptional individuals from South Africa and abroad at the 2024 ceremony.
Dr Mun Y Choi, Mr Chris Hani (posthumous), Professor Henk Kummeling, Justice Dikgang Moseneke, Professor Caroline Pauwels (posthumous) and Dr Sydney Zanemvula Zotwana will receive honorary doctorate degrees. Mr Hani and Professor Pauwels are being honoured posthumously.
Justice Albie Sachs will be honoured with a Gold Medal Award for his significant dedication to the upliftment of the Republic of South Africa.
I extend my profound appreciation to all the recipients who have selflessly dedicated and sacrificed their lives for the betterment of others.
MESSAGE from THE RECTOR
PROFESSOR TYRONE PRETORIUS
In a world that constantly seeks leaders who embody creativity, selflessness and the courage of their convictions, the University of the Western Cape announces, with great pride and admiration, the recipients of the Honorary Doctorates for 2023 and 2024.
For the year 2023, we will confer honorary doctorates on the late anti-apartheid leader Mr Chris Hani, whose legacy of courage and sacrifice continues to inspire generations; Justice Dikgang Moseneke,
former Deputy Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa and a Justice of the Constitutional Court of South Africa, whose unwavering commitment to justice has shaped our nation’s legal framework; and, Dr Sydney Zanemvula Zotwana, an isiXhosa linguist and author whose work has enriched our cultural and linguistic heritage.
Honorary doctorates for 2024 will be conferred on the distinguished Chancellor of the University of Missouri and President of the University of Missouri System, Dr Mun Y. Choi; the esteemed Rector Magnificus of Utrecht University, Professor Henk Kummeling; and, the late, revered former Rector of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Professor Caroline Pauwels. Their dedication to academia and their visionary leadership have left an indelible mark on the global educational landscape.
The Gold Medal is bestowed on individuals who have made an extraordinary contribution to the upliftment of the community through exceptional leadership, community involvement, and related activities. Activist, scholar, author and former South African Constitutional Court Justice, Albie Sachs, will be honoured with the award for 2024.
These exemplary individuals represent the very best of humanity, making impactful contributions to arts, literature, law, humanitarianism, academia and advocacy. Their tireless efforts and unwavering dedication to the upliftment of people and communities, nationally and internationally, are worthy of our recognition and most profound appreciation.
MEMORABLE MILESTONES
UNIVERSITY OF THE WESTERN CAPE
1960
The University College of the Western Cape opens its doors as a college of the University of South Africa.
1975
Prof Richard van der Ross is appointed as UWC’s first black Rector.
1970
The institution gains independent university status and is allowed to award its own degrees and diplomas as the University of the Western Cape.
1978
1987
New Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Jakes Gerwel, declares UWC is the ‘university of the left. The university deracialises and opens its doors to African students.
UWC inaugurates its longest-serving Chancellor, Nobel laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who would serve for more than 25 years.
1990
UWC’s Cape Flats Nature Reserve is declared a National Monument (now known as a provincial heritage site).
Prof Erika Theron is invested as Chancellor, the first female chancellor of a South African university.
1994
UWC’s leadership takes part in writing the higher education policy for the incoming government. The South African interim Constitution and final Constitution are drafted at UWC.
1995
UWC launches its first website - joining the internet age before other universities in Cape Town.
UWC launches the Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies (PLAAS) to engage in research, training, policy development and advocacy in relation to land reform, rural governance and natural resource management.
UWC is the first university to award the late President Mandela an honorary doctorate upon his release from prison.
1994
Many academics from UWC join President Mandela’s government and are appointed to ministerial and advisory positions, including its Rector, Prof Gerwel, who became the Director-General in the Presidency.
2002
Under the leadership of Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Brian O’Connell, UWC successfully resists being merged. Instead, its Dentistry Faculty is merged with that of the University of Stellenbosch, making UWC the only dentistry faculty in the Western Cape.
2003
UWC acquires the first protein X-ray crystallography facility in South Africa (funded by the Carnegie Foundation), boosting research capacity development in biotechnology.
2008
The Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship is introduced to UWC, promoting an international postgraduate education experience. The first cohort of Fellows is accepted in 2009.
2009
South African writer Meg van der Merwe initiates UWC Creates, the only creative writing programme in South Africa operating across three languages (English, Afrikaans and isiXhosa).
2010
Ten SARChI chairs are awarded to UWC, the highest number awarded to any university in SA that year (UWC hosts 18 SARChI Chairs, as of 2019).
2012
Archbishop Thabo Makgoba is inaugurated as Chancellor of UWC.
UWC is declared Africa’s Greenest Campus in the inaugural African Green Campus Initiative Challenge.
2013
UWC signs the Berlin Declaration on Open Access in the Sciences and Humanities.
2014
For the first time, UWC awards over 100 PhDs and over 4 000 degrees in one year.
UWC is recognised as a top-tier university by the Department of Higher Education and Training.
UWC graduates its first Master’s students as a hub of the National Nanosciences and Technologies Platform.
2016
UWC’s Centre for Humanities Research is awarded the Flagship on Critical Thought in African Humanities by the NRF.
UWC is ranked number 1 in Physical Science in South Africa and in Africa in the 2016 Nature Index.
2017
A group of UWC students, led by Prof Nico Orce, conducts the second major African-led experiment at the CERN particle physics laboratory in Switzerland.
UWC’s former Vice-Chancellor, Prof Brian O’Connell, receives the National Research Foundation’s highest honour, the NRF Lifetime Achievement Award.
2018
The Faculty of Dentistry launches a state-of-the-art video conferencing system that allows students to watch live surgeries in class or at home – a first for South Africa.
2019
UWC Rugby makes its historical debut in the Varsity Cup, by becoming the first team from an historically disadvantaged institution to qualify for the competition.
2020
UWC celebrates its 60th anniversary.
2022
UWC Main Hall is renamed the Jakes Gerwel Hall.
UWC launches its first television platform called “UWC on Air”.
2023
Four significant infrastructure projects are completed in 2022 and 2023, including the Education Faculty building on the main campus, the 2700-bed Unibell Residence complex in Belhar, the Centre for Humanities Research building in Woodstock, and the UWC Innovation Hub in Parow.
2024
The first year of the full implementation of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme, which provides full bursaries to 250 undergraduate and 250 Master’s students as part of a seven-year agreement.
A LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP, TRANSFORMATION AND RESILIENCE AT UWC
PROFESSOR TYRONE PRETORIUS
In 2018, during the official first tour of the new Faculty of Community and Health Sciences building, Professor Tyrone Pretorius, dressed in his signature tailored suit, sneaked away from his colleagues.
With a mischievous grin, he opened the door to a glistening lecture room. “Hello everyone! Are you enjoying your new space?” he called out. Students stormed forward, cellphones held high, and shrills of excitement flooded the corridors. Staff patiently waited as the Rector of the University of the Western Cape (UWC) posed for selfies and made small talk. To an outsider, it might have seemed like a celebrity surprise. To staff, he was a proud father, watching his children flourish in their new space. The state-of-the-art facility, a converted 10-storey hospital, is home to future physiotherapists, occupational therapists, nurses, and natural medicine practitioners.
Moments like these brought Prof Pretorius great joy as he fulfilled promises of transformation, progress, and infrastructural growth made at his 2015 inauguration. His term as Rector and Vice-Chancellor was filled with significant challenges. The turbulent #FeesMustFall protests advocating for affordable education tested his leadership early on. He steered UWC through this period while maintaining institutional stability. The Cape Town water crisis was another
major hurdle, yet he ensured the campus remained operational and sustainable. Additionally, he managed the impact of frequent loadshedding, implementing measures to minimise disruptions. Most notably, he led UWC through the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, swiftly adapting to online learning and ensuring support for students and staff throughout the crisis.
Jokingly referred to as having a “cursed” term by his contemporaries, Prof Pretorius remained resilient and determined. His leadership left an indelible mark on South African higher education. As the seventh Rector and Vice-Chancellor of UWC, he continually inspired and shaped the institution, leaving a lasting legacy.
Prof Pretorius’s journey began in Sterkspruit, a small town in the former Transkei, before moving to King William’s Town. His early years, rooted in a close-knit community without modern luxuries, instilled a strong sense of family and friendship. His upbringing in rural South Africa shaped his character and his enduring devotion to community values and social justice.
From these humble beginnings, he became a qualified psychologist with two doctorates — a DPhil from UWC and a PhD from the University of the Free State. He further honed his leadership skills through prestigious programs at Yale and Oxford Universities. His scholarly contributions include extensive publications in national and international journals on career psychology, coping mechanisms, stress, and research methodology.
Prof Pretorius’s career at UWC spans over three decades, during which he held various senior leadership positions. Starting as an Academic Assistant, he rose through the ranks to become a Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor, Professor, Head of Department, and Dean of the Faculty of Community and Health Sciences. In 2001, he was appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic, a position he held until 2005, culminating in his appointment as Rector and Vice-Chancellor.
His inaugural speech in 2015 outlined a bold vision for UWC, emphasising research-led learning, community engagement, and international partnerships. A decade later, it is evident that he has fulfilled and exceeded these promises. His tenure is marked by significant contributions to UWC’s growth and recognition as a leading research-led institution in South Africa. A key focus of his leadership was infrastructural growth, ensuring that UWC had state-of-the-art facilities to support its academic and research missions.
Beyond UWC, Prof Pretorius’s leadership extended to other institutions, including Monash South Africa, where he served as President and Pro Vice-Chancellor, and the University of Pretoria, where he was VicePrincipal (Academic). These roles broadened his perspective on higher education and solidified his reputation as a visionary leader.
Under his leadership, UWC made significant strides in research, consistently ranking among the top universities in South Africa for research output and impact. He fostered a culture of academic excellence, attracting top scholars and researchers from around the world, and established critical international partnerships, expanding UWC’s global reach and influence. Prof Pretorius’s contributions to community engagement are equally noteworthy. He spearheaded initiatives connecting UWC with surrounding communities, recognising the university’s role as a regional anchor institution. He worked tirelessly to improve educational outcomes in underserved communities, championing access and inclusivity.
What truly sets Prof Pretorius apart is his humanity. Known for his compassionate approach, he always prioritised the well-being of students and staff. He was particularly attuned to the challenges faced by historically disadvantaged institutions and was a tireless advocate for equitable funding and resources. As we celebrate Prof Tyrone Pretorius’s remarkable career, we are reminded of the profound impact one individual can have through steadfast determination to make a difference. His legacy is one of academic achievement, human connection, social justice, and a firm belief in the power of education to transform lives and communities.
Honoris Causa RECIPIENTS 1983 – 2022
1983
S. Motsuenyane
Doctor Commercii
M. O’Dowd
Doctor Commercii
1984
E. Theron
Doctor Legum
1987
B. Breytenbach
Doctor Litterarum
R. van der Ross
Doctor Educationis
Author, educationist, social activist and the first black rector of UWC.
1989
J.C. de Villiers
Doctor Scientiae
G. Mbeki
Doctor Philosophiae
1990
N.R. Mandela
Doctor Legum
Rivonia trialist, political prisoner, ANC President and President of the first democratically elected government of South Africa. One of four South Africans to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
O.R. Tambo
Doctor Legum
1991
R. Alexander Simons
Doctor Commercii
G. Machel
Doctor Legum
First Mozambican
Minister of Education and Culture, member of the Commonwealth Eminent Persons Group and The Elders, and an international advocate for human rights.
D. Mitterrand
Doctor Litterarum
D. Zihlangu
Doctor Educationis
1993
G. Boonzaier
Doctor Litterarum
B. Head
Doctor Litterarum (posthumous)
A. Ibrahim
Doctor Litterarum
Famous as Dollar Brand before his conversion to Islam, he is an awardwinning, innovative jazz pianist, composer and international recording artist.
E. Mancoba
Doctor Litterarum
1995
G.J. Gerwel
Doctor Educationis
UWC lecturer and department head who became Rector in 1987.
P. Sonn
Doctor Legum
1996
G.H. Brundtland
Doctor Legum
T.N. Chapman
Doctor Commercii
J.J. Durand
Doctor Philosophiae
P. Gorvalla
Doctor Commercii
1997
B. Davidson
Doctor Litterarum
E.L. King
Doctor Theologiae
I. Mohamed
Doctor Scientiae
Mathematician and antiapartheid activist. While head of the Mathematics Department at UWC in 1976, was detained and held in Victor Verster prison for 15 weeks. Aside from an illustrious career at several African universities, he made important contributions to group theory.
B. Naudé
Doctor Theologiae
J.N. Scholten
Doctor Legum
1997
R. Turner
Doctor Educationis (posthumous)
1998
J. Derrida
Doctor Litterarum
M. Nuttall
Doctor Theologiae
M.A. Oduyoye
Doctor Theologiae
J. Reddy
Doctor Educationis
Served as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Durban-Westville, Chair of the Durban University of Technology Council and Director of the United Nations University International Leadership Institute.
2001
V. Faigle
Doctor Theologiae
G. ‘t Hooft
Doctor Scientiae
P.N. Langa
Doctor Legum
Served as Constitutional Court judge (1994–2001), Deputy Chief Justice (2001–2005) and Chief Justice of South Africa (2005–2009).
A. Small
Doctor Litterarum
W.H. Gray
Doctor Philosophiae
C. Hirschsohn
Doctor Philosophiae
T. Manuel
Doctor Commercii
2002
D. Philip
Doctor Litterarum
M. Philip
Doctor Litterarum
D.M. Tutu
Doctor Legum
General secretary of the SA Council of Churches, Bishop of Johannesburg and Archbishop of Cape Town. Nobel Peace prize recipient in 1984. He was Chancellor of UWC from 1987 to 2011.
2003
K. Mokhele
Doctor Scientiae
T.D. Fredericks
Doctor Educationis
P-D. Uys
Doctor Educationis
2004
K. Asmal
Doctor Legum
E. de Keyser
Doctor Commercii (posthumous)
G. Fitzgerald
Doctor Litterarum
A. Omar
Doctor Legum (posthumous)
An advocate who defended many antiapartheid activists, he was the leader of the Unity Movement before becoming a patron of the UDF. He served as democratic South Africa’s first Minister of Justice and as Minister of Transport.
2004
A. Sachs
Doctor Litterarum
A. Sisulu
Doctor Curationis
Founding member of the ANC Women’s League and FEDSAW. She was the co-president of the UDF, a Pietermaritzburg treason trialist in 1985 and later a member of Parliament.
W. Sisulu
Doctor Legum (posthumous)
2005
A. Achmat
Doctor Philosophiae
C. Bundy
Doctor Philosophiae
2005
E.K.M. Dido
Doctor Litterarum
T. Jones Doctor Philosophiae
J.J. Fagan Doctor Legum
I. Mahomed Doctor Legum (posthumous)
2006
F.N. Ginwala
Doctor Administrationis
After serving the ANC in exile for 30 years in various capacities, she was the Speaker of the National Assembly from 1994 to 2004 when she retired. In her retirement, she served as the first Chancellor of the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
2007
E. Abrahams
Doctor Philosophiae
E. Braune Doctor Philosophiae
A. Chaskalson
Doctor Legum
A member of the defence team at the Rivonia treason trial, he was President of the Constitutional Court of South Africa from 1994 to 2001 and Chief Justice of South Africa from 2001 to 2005.
D. Jordaan Doctor Philosophiae
R. Kadalie Doctor Litterarum
2007
P. Mlambo-Ngcuka
Doctor Philosophiae Deputy minister in the Department of Trade and Industry (1996–1999), Minister of Minerals and Energy (1999–June 2005), Deputy President of South Africa (2005–2008), and Executive Director of UN Women (2013–2021).
Y. Mokgoro Doctor Legum
V. Shubin Doctor Philosophiae
2008
W. Morrow Doctor Educationis
2009
P. Govender Doctor Legum Author, feminist and anti-apartheid activist, member of the National Assembly (1996–2002) and SAHRC Commissioner and Deputy Chair (2009–2015).
2010
A. Adebajo Doctor Philosophiae
M.S. Dien Doctor Philosophiae (posthumous)
B. Fanaroff Doctor Philosophiae
2010
P. Olufemi-Kayode
Doctor Philosophiae
R. Simonsen
Doctor Philosophiae
P.K. Tergat
Doctor Philosophiae
D. Tulu
Doctor Philosophiae
2011
S.B. Biko
Doctor Philosophiae (posthumous)
An anti-apartheid student activist and leader of the Black Consciousness Movement in South Africa during the late 1960s and 1970s who was murdered by apartheid police in 1977.
2011
S. Isaacs
Doctor Educationis
2011
P. Magrath
Doctor Litterarum
M. Shear
Doctor Philosophiae
M. Temmerman
Doctor Philosophiae
Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aga Khan University Hospital Nairobi, Director of the Centre of Excellence in Women, Child and Adolescent Health (AKU East Africa) and Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Ghent University in Belgium.
R.P. Wolff
Doctor Philosophiae
2012
B. Gawanas
Doctor Legum
E. Moosa
Doctor Legum
2012
R. Reddock
Doctor Philosophiae
H.D. Shaper
Doctor Philosophiae (posthumous)
A. Sheiham
Doctor Philosophiae
2013
H. Howa
Doctor Philosophiae (posthumous)
A co-founder of the South African Cricket Board of Control who advocated the sports isolation of apartheid South Africa under the slogan ‘no normal sport in an abnormal society’.
A. Jones
Doctor Philosophiae
J. Matthews
Doctor Philosophiae
G. Gutiérrez Merino
Doctor Theologiae
2014
A. Haron
Doctor Philosophiae (posthumous)
The Imam of the Al-Jamia Mosque in Claremont, Cape Town. He established the openly anti-apartheid community
newspaper Muslim News
2015
A. Jedaar
Doctor Philosophiae
2016
H. Adams
Doctor Philosophiae
F. Robertson
Doctor Philosophiae
Co-founder of Brimstone Investment Corp and Chair of the UWC Foundation.
M. Tsedu
Doctor Philosophiae
2017
A.M. Lapsley
Doctor Philosophiae
2018
Z. Skweyiya
Doctor Philosophiae (posthumous)
2021
Z. Wicomb
Doctor Philosophiae
A. Boesak
Doctor Philosophiae
W. Kentridge
Doctor Philosophiae
2022
K. Kwaa Prah
Doctor Philosophiae
I. Sooliman
Doctor Philosophiae
Founder of Gift of the Givers, one of the most respected international humanitarian agencies.
HONORARY DOCTORATE
According to the UWC Statute (2018), “the university may without examination, by resolution of the Council passed on the recommendation of the Senate, confer an honorary degree of doctor in any faculty upon any person who has rendered distinguished services in the advancement of any branch of learning, or who the Council may deem worthy of such, provided that such a person exemplifies the values and purposes of the university”.
The decision to confer an honorary degree of doctorate in either the Council or the Senate requires that two-thirds of the members present (in person or electronically) at the meeting vote in favour of the proposal.
The focus for awarding an honorary doctorate is to ensure alignment with the core values of the university, as well as teaching and learning scholarship. Recognition of intellectual contribution is paramount,
reflecting the core value of eminence in the field of scholarship in the course of a career. To be considered for a conferral of an honorary degree, the nominee should reflect the following criteria:
• outstanding intellectual contributions in the course of a career, in some fields of scholarship;
• a substantial contribution with national and international impact;
• excellent or distinguished service in wider society;
• application of the values espoused by the university, thereby contributing towards the transformation of society; and,
• outstanding contribution as a public intellectual.
The award of an honorary degree does not entitle a person to practise any profession or use the title of Doctor.
Honorary Doctorate RECIPIENT 2023
CHRIS HANI
DOCTOR PHILOSOPHIAE
Chris Hani, born Martin Thembisile Hani on June 28, 1942, in Cofimvaba, Transkei, South Africa, was a prominent anti-apartheid activist and leader. He joined the African National Congress (ANC) in 1957 and later became a member of its armed wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK). Hani played a crucial role in the anti-apartheid struggle, leading MK operations and advocating for armed resistance.
In the 1970s and 1980s, Hani became a key figure in the South African Communist Party (SACP) and eventually rose to the position of general secretary. His leadership in the ANC and SACP made him a significant force in the fight against apartheid. Hani was known for his dedication to the cause and his ability to inspire and mobilise the masses.
Tragically, Hani’s life was cut short on April 10, 1993, when he was assassinated outside his home in Boksburg, Gauteng, by a far-right extremist. His death marked a pivotal moment in South Africa’s history, leading to increased efforts to negotiate the end of apartheid and transition to a democratic government. Hani is remembered as a hero of the liberation struggle and a symbol of resistance against oppression.
He is survived by his wife Limpho and their daughters Neo, Nomakhwezi and Lindiwe.
Honorary Doctorate RECIPIENT 2023
JUSTICE DIKGANG MOSENEKE
DOCTOR PHILOSOPHIAE
Justice Dikgang Moseneke, born in December 1947, is celebrated for his profound impact on South Africa’s legal and political landscape. At the age of 15 he was arrested for his anti-apartheid activities and sentenced to ten years on Robben Island. During his imprisonment, Justice Moseneke earned three degrees from the University of South Africa: a BA, BIuris and LLB. After his release, his legal career flourished and he progressed from attorney’s clerk to prominent advocate and Senior Counsel. In 1993, Justice Moseneke played a crucial role in drafting South Africa’s interim Constitution, and he was deputy chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission during the 1994 elections.
Appointed to the High Court in 1994 and the Constitutional Court in 2002, he was Deputy Chief Justice between 2005 and his retirement in 2016. He always advocated for justice and equality, contributing to numerous legal and community organisations. Justice Moseneke’s influence extended beyond the judiciary, and he served as Chancellor of the University of the Witwatersrand and in various academic roles globally. His dedication to education, justice and community upliftment has left an indelible mark on South Africa. His memoirs, “My Own Liberator” and “All Rise”, reflect his enduring commitment to liberation and justice.
Honorary Doctorate RECIPIENT 2023
DR ZANEMVULA SYDNEY ZOTWANA
DOCTOR PHILOSOPHIAE
Dr Zanemvula Sydney Zotwana, born in Kroonstad in 1943, obtained a South African Teachers’ Diploma at the University College of Fort Hare after his secondary education. Following three years of high school teaching in Cape Town, he returned to Fort Hare to complete a BA. Dr Zotwana’s political consciousness was shaped by his mother’s involvement in the Unity Movement and the All-African Convention.
In the mid-1970s, he joined the Black People’s Convention while lecturing at Rhodes University. In 1976, his political activities led to 18 months in prison, where he completed his honours degree. Postrelease, he earned an MA and PhD from the University of Cape Town, where he taught and supervised postgraduates. He has translated children’s books into isiXhosa, authored award-winning creative works and produced educational materials, notably “Xhosa in Context - from Novice to Intermediate”. In 1994, he became a sworn translator and later served as head of the Hansard Translation Unit in Parliament.
He is a past and present member of the isiXhosa National Language Body, where he coordinated terminology efforts and remains deeply involved in the Mother Tongue-based Bilingual Education project, significantly contributing to terminology verification and authentication.
Honorary Doctorate RECIPIENT 2024
DR MUN Y. CHOI
DOCTOR PHILOSOPHIAE
Dr Mun Y. Choi is the 24th president of the University of Missouri in the US. He also holds the position of Chancellor and oversees the fourcampus University of Missouri System. In this dual role, he manages the university’s academic, business and financial operations, a healthcare system and a statewide extension programme.
Dr Choi grew up in Ohio and Illinois and earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign. He completed his Master of Arts degree and his PhD at Princeton University.
Dr Choi’s distinguished career in higher education spans more than 28 years, beginning as an assistant and associate professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago (1994-2000). He later became the head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics at Drexel University (2000-2008), then served as Dean of Engineering (20082012) and Provost and Executive Vice-President (2012-2017) at the University of Connecticut.
Under Dr Choi’s leadership at the University of Missouri, initiatives such asMizzouForward – a $1.5 billion investment in faculty, student success and infrastructure – have propelled the university to new heights. Notable achievements include record research expenditures, improved graduation rates and high postgraduate success rates.
Honorary Doctorate RECIPIENT 2024
PROFESSOR
HENK KUMMELING
DOCTOR PHILOSOPHIAE
Professor Henk Kummeling, Rector Magnificus of Utrecht University in the Netherlands, earned his doctorate in law at Nijmegen, then served as Professor of Constitutional and Administrative Law at Tilburg University and Professor of Constitutional Law at Utrecht University. Utrecht subsequently appointed him Dean of the Faculty of Law, Economics, Governance and Organisation, and distinguished university professor in the field of Comparative Constitutional Law. In 2013, UWC awarded him an extraordinary professorship.
Prof Kummeling was president of the Dutch Electoral Council, chair of the State Committee on the Rule of Law, and has authored books and articles on numerous subjects including freedom of expression and academic freedom, parliamentary law and electoral law. His passion for education is evident through chairing the committee that introduced the “Utrecht educational model”, teaching in numerous countries and being voted ‘Teacher of the Year’ by law students at Utrecht and Tilburg numerous times.
As Rector Magnificus, Prof Kummeling advocates for and emphasises the importance of interdisciplinarity in research and education, international collaboration, small-scale and intensive education, and the university’s social impact. His goal is to ensure that Utrecht University is a place “with a head AND with a heart”.
Honorary Doctorate RECIPIENT 2024
PROFESSOR CAROLINE PAUWELS
DOCTOR PHILOSOPHIAE
Professor Caroline Pauwels became the 11th rector of Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Belgium, in 2016, making her the second woman to hold the position. She led with distinction until her second term was cut short by illness, leading to her untimely death on August 5, 2022.
Known for her engaging and unifying nature, she brought prestige to VUB, promoting values such as wonder, possibilism, and humanism, which are deeply rooted in the Enlightenment principles of freedom, equality and connection. Leading up to her rectorship, she was head of the Department of Communication Sciences and the director of the Studies in Media, Innovation, and Technology (SMIT) research group. Prof Pauwels was diagnosed with cancer in 2019, but despite her illness, remained actively involved in university affairs and was reelected for a second term in 2020.
Her tenure was marked by initiatives such as Difference Day on World Press Freedom Day, weKONEKT.Brussels, and the interdisciplinary POlNcaré think tank. She was a founder of the European University alliance, Eutopia, and the driving force behind creating strategic international partnerships. Her leadership, eternal optimism, and belief in possibilism inspired many and enhanced VUB’s reputation as an urban-engaged university.
GOLD MEDAL
According to the UWC Statute (2018), the University may, by resolution of the Council passed on the recommendation of the Senate, award a UWC Gold Medal to any person who has rendered distinguished services in the advancement of any branch of learning or who the Council may deem worthy of such a medal, provided that such a person exemplifies the values and purposes of the University.
The decision to award a UWC Gold Medal by either the Council or the Senate requires that twothirds of the members present (in person or electronically) at the meeting vote in favour of the proposal. The focus in awarding a UWC Gold Medal is to ensure alignment with the core values of the University and demonstrated service to the community. The Gold Medal is awarded to individuals in the community who have made a significant and extraordinary contribution to the upliftment of the community through exceptional leadership, community involvement and related activities. In considering a nomination for the award of a Gold Medal, nominees are required to reflect:
• Meritorious or outstanding contributions to public life or of significant benefit to society;
• Contributions that are innovative, exceptional, self-initiated and/or self-directed.
A UWC Gold Medal cannot be bestowed on persons currently holding public office, in the current employ of the University or involved in a body directly affiliated with the University.
Gold Medal RECIPIENTS 2018 – 2022
2018
Ebrahim Rhoha
2021
AB Mahomed
Derek Joubert
Peter Takelo
2022
Sean Patrick Lance
Peter Wilson
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka
Gold Medal RECIPIENT 2024
JUSTICE ALBIE SACHS
Justice Albie Sachs has been a prominent figure in the fight for liberation, democracy, human rights and social justice in South Africa. His activism began at age 17, when, as a law student at the University of Cape Town, he participated in the Defiance of Unjust Laws Campaign. He was at the Congress of the People in Kliptown, where the Freedom Charter was adopted. By age 21, he was practising as an advocate, primarily defending individuals charged under apartheid’s oppressive laws Justice Sachs endured personal persecution, including raids, banning orders, and solitary confinement without trial. In 1966, he went into exile, spending 11 years in England and 11 in Mozambique, the latter being where he was severely injured by a bomb placed in his car by South African security agents. Despite this, he continued his work with the ANC, helping to draft the organisation’s statutes and its Code of Conduct forbidding the use of torture. Returning to South Africa in 1990, he played a significant role in drafting the new democratic Constitution and was appointed to the Constitutional Court by Nelson Mandela in 1994. He authored notable judgments on same-sex marriages, the right of prisoners to vote, and the rights of homeless people. His term on the bench ended in 2009. Beyond his judicial work, Justice Sachs has contributed to healing divided societies worldwide and has been active in art and architecture, significantly influencing the design of the Constitutional Court building and its art collection on the site of the Old Fort Prison in Johannesburg.
A HISTORICAL OCCASION
Those who were honoured for their contributions are indeed worthy of this recognition because they exemplify creativity, scholarship, selflessness and the courage of their convictions in making a difference in the society that they inhabit.
