UCC crowns ‘amused’ Sir Richard Branson with honorary doctorate

Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, was a little amused yesterday after being awarded an honorary doctor of Business and Entrepreneurship degree (Honoris Causa) from a university in the small island of Jamaica.

Branson, through a virtual presentation, accepted his honorary doctorate from the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean (UCC), during its 2024 commencement ceremony held inside the National Arena.

“I am full of gratitude and I must admit, a little amused, to receive this honorary doctorate in business and entrepreneurship,” said Branson, head of the Virgin Group.

“Who would have expected [me] a school drop-out ... would be speaking with you all today?” he amusingly said before stating that he can now boast alongside his daughter, who is the only one in his family with an earned doctorate degree.

“I look forward to teasing her that I joined the club,” he said.

He then extended congratulations to the other graduands who have overcome obstacles and achieve their respective academic degrees.

“Graduation is not an ending for you. It is a new beginning; a jumping off point to the magnificent world adventure of the rest of your life, and I view my life as one long university education that I never actually had. You’ve now had a university education, but that doesn’t mean you stop learning the minute you walk out the door. Actually, I think that’s where you really start,” Branson advised.

“On one of my last days of school, [at] age 15, my headmaster predicted that I would either end up in prison or become a billionaire, and in a way, he was right on both counts ... I struggled in an education system that was not set up for people who didn’t fit in. My teachers just assumed I was lazy or stupid. They didn’t try to help ... but there’s a long way to go, and we need to prepare people for life [and] not just exams. We also need to think with a global mindset, and with this interconnected age of social media and AI, there are no boundaries for where you can go and what you can do,” he said.

According to the UCC, among the reasons Branson was chosen for the doctorate was the fact that, after leaving school at 15 years old, Branson embarked on an entrepreneurial path which became his lifelong dedication.

Also, his innovative spirit quickly propelled Virgin Records to become the world’s largest independent record label. Under his leadership, the Virgin brand has grown into becoming one of the world’s most admired and diversified enterprises, which has disrupted sectors from music to travel, telecommunications, banking, leisure and space exploration.

Today, there are more than 40 Virgin companies operating in more than 35 countries worldwide.

The university also stated that, from his early days of publishing student magazines, Branson has consistently found innovative ways to drive positive change.

In 2004, he established Virgin Unite – a non-profit entrepreneurial foundation — dedicated to tackling some of the world’s toughest social and environmental challenges.

The founding principle of Virgin Unite, to make business a force for good, exemplifies Branson’s commitment to leveraging entrepreneurship for societal benefits.

These days, it is said that he dedicates most of his time to purpose-driven ventures through this foundation.

In 2021, Branson achieved a lifelong dream by becoming an astronaut, flying on board VSS Unity as part of the first fully crewed Virgin Galactic mission, Unity 22.

Other awardees

Also collecting honorary doctorates yesterday from UCC were Edmund Bartlett, minister of tourism, who received the Honorary Doctorate (Honoris Causa) in Hospitality and Tourism Management; Adam Stewart, businessman, executive chairman of the Caribbean-based resort company Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts, president of the Sandals Foundation, and executive chairman of the ATL Group, who received the Honorary Doctorate (Honoris Causa) in Business Administration Award; and Dr Patricia V. Smith, who received the Honorary Doctorate (Honoris Causa) in Behavioural Sciences Award.

For his part, Bartlett was excited and said the theme of the graduation, ‘It’s a New Beginning ... Arise and Take Your Place’, was fitting not only for the graduates but also the UCC as it embarks on a new era with the installation of its fourth president, Professor Colin Gyles, yesterday.

“Today also marks a special occasion for me, my family and all the hardworking staff of the Ministry of Tourism and all its affiliated agencies and the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association who have worked tirelessly over the year to develop the country’s tourism product and created boundless opportunities for millions of Jamaicans,” Bartlett said.

“I feel greatly honoured and humbled to be awarded this honorary doctorate in Hospitality and Tourism Management by you, the UCC. This recognition is not just a personal achievement, but a testament to the collective effort of everyone who has contributed to the development of Jamaica’s tourism industry. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the UCC for this honour,” he said.

Bartlett also acknowledge his fellow honourees and the graduates.

“Each of these individuals have made significant contributions to their respective fields, and it is a privilege to be recognised alongside them,” he said.

Yesterday’s cohort of graduates from the UCC represented their highest group to date, which Bartlett congratulated the institution on this grand achievement.

“Today, the UCC occupies the coveted position as the largest private non-affiliate higher education institution in Jamaica, and has a rich history of academic excellence and innovation,” Bartlett said.

“With over 7,000 students enrolled in its five campuses across the country, the UCC has become a beacon of higher learning and professional development, offering a diverse range of programmes including short courses, bachelor’s programmes, associate degrees [and] online programmes,” he said.

ainsworth.morris@gleanerjm.com