Pollster Don Anderson among 13 to receive honorary UWI degrees

Pollster and market research professional Don Anderson is set to receive an honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) degree from The University of West Indies (UWI) Mona, at its annual graduation exercise on October 31.

Anderson is one of 13 individuals for whom the University Council has approved the conferral of honorary degrees at the 2024 graduation ceremonies across the institution’s five campuses.

This year’s honorary graduands have had long and impactful careers in the areas of advocacy and activism, medicine, tourism and culture, sport, business, education, science and the music industry.

The UWI’s 2024 graduation ceremonies are scheduled to take place between October 12 and November 9.

Among the honorary graduands, Anderson is being recognised for his contribution as an entrepreneur, as well as for his considerable body of work in the field of market research and his long years of service as a national sports administrator.

Anderson started work as a market research executive with a British-based market research company in the early 1970s, after a short stint teaching at Campion College.

He set up Market Research Services Limited in 1975 and has now spent 49 years conducting market research throughout the Caribbean and Central America. He now serves as executive chairman of the company.

He established the political polling arm of the company in 1989, and, along with the growth in his market research business, his polls have become widely accepted throughout the Caribbean for credibility and professionalism.

He has worked with several governments and opposition parties, as well as a wide range of corporate entities in the region, in addition to the World Bank.

He has lectured extensively at The UWI in the field of market research theory and practice, as well as at the University of Technology and as a guest lecturer at Dalhousie University in Canada.

He spent 32 years as a vice president of the Jamaica Olympic Association, during which time he led 12 Jamaica teams to regional Games around the world, including Olympics, Commonwealth Games, Pan American Games and Central American and Caribbean Games. He served in the management of seven consecutive Olympic Games from Seoul in 1988 through to London in 2012 and was the chef de mission and head of the Jamaican delegation to five of these from Atlanta, Sydney, Athens, Beijing and to London.

In 2007, he was conferred with a national honour, Order of Distinction (Commander Class) for his service to the nation.

He is one of four people who will be honoured with honorary doctorates at this year’s UWI Mona graduation, the others being Monte Blake of Merritone Music, Applied Scientist Dr Conrad Douglas and president and CEO of VM Financial Group Limited, Courtney Campbell.

LIST OF 2024 HONORARY GRADUANDS

Five Islands Campus – October 12

Sir Curtly Elconn Lynwall Ambrose of Antigua and Barbuda for contributions to Cricket – Doctor of Laws (LLD)

His Excellency Ambassador Dr W. Aubrey Webson of Antigua and Barbuda for his work in Human Rights Advocacy – Doctor of Laws (LLD)

Cave Hill Campus – October 19

Dame Susan Dilys Dougan, governor general of St Vincent and The Grenadines for her public service and work in education – Doctor of Laws (LLD)

Sir Trevor Hassell of Barbados for his contribution to medicine – Doctor of Science (DSc)

The Most Honourable Elton Deighton Elombe Mottley of Barbados for his contribution to the development of culture and the arts – Doctor of Letters (DLitt)

Mr Ralph Taylor of Barbados for his work in the tourism sector – Doctor of Laws (LLD)

St Augustine Campus – October 24 to 26

Dr Maniram Ragbir of Trinidad and Tobago/Britain for his work as a plastic/reconstructive surgeon –Doctor of Science (DSc)

Dr Patricia Rodney of Guyana for her work as a medical practitioner and human rights defender – Doctor of Science (DSc)

Mona Campus – October 31 to November 2

Mr Donald Anderson, CD, of Jamaica for his work as an entrepreneur/market researcher/sport administrator – Doctor of Laws (LLD)

Mr Monte Blake of Jamaica for his pioneering work in music – Doctor of Letters (DLitt)

Mr Courtney Campbell of Jamaica for his work as an Entrepreneur/Philanthropist –Doctor of Laws (LLD)

Dr Conrad Douglas, CD, of Jamaica for his contribution to the development of the bauxite industry – Doctor of Laws (LLD)

Global Campus – November 9

Mr Kirani James of Grenada for excellence in athletics – Doctor of Laws (LLD)