Two Vincentians Among UWI’s 2026 Honorary Graduands 

By Admin. Updated 2:58 p.m., Tuesday, September 15, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4). 

Two Vincentians are set to receive honorary degrees from The University of the West Indies (UWI) as part of the institution’s 2026 graduation ceremonies, joining 11 other distinguished Caribbean figures being recognised for their outstanding contributions to regional development.

Media executive Don Rojas and Speaker of the OECS Assembly and former government minister René Baptiste, CMG, have been named among this year’s 13 honorary graduands, whose achievements span journalism, diplomacy, public service, law, medicine, agriculture, sport, culture and music.

Rojas will be awarded the Doctor of Letters (DLitt) during the Five Islands Campus graduation ceremony on October 10 in recognition of his contribution to Caribbean and American media.

Baptiste will receive the Doctor of Laws (LLD) at the Global Campus graduation on November 14 for her contribution to governance, law and culture.

Announcing the honourees, UWI said the honorary degrees continue the university’s long-standing tradition of recognising Caribbean men and women whose work has had a lasting impact on the region’s development.

The university noted that the awards were approved by its University Council and will be presented during graduation ceremonies scheduled between October 10 and November 14, 2026, across its campuses.

This year’s recipients also include Jamaican scholar and public advocate Arnold Bertram, reggae artist Damian Marley, American hip-hop pioneer Doug E. Fresh, Trinidad and Tobago diplomat Ambassador Colin Granderson, and Antigua and Barbuda journalist Melvin L. Claxton, among other regional leaders.

For St Vincent and the Grenadines, the recognition of Rojas and Baptiste places two nationals among a distinguished group of Caribbean citizens whose professional achievements have made significant contributions both within the region and internationally.

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