The accolades keep pouring in for the world fastest man Usian Bolt.
The Jamaican triple world record holder was awarded with an honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) degree by the University of the West Indies Mona in Kingston.
The institution cite Bolt’s “athletic prowess” and his “contribution to regional advancement.”
The 25-year-old sprinter will now be referred to as Dr. The Honourable Ambassador Usain Bolt.
Despite the phenomenal achievements by the man considered to be the fastest human alive, students at UWI does not share the same enthusiasm as the institution.
“I must say that in all my life this is indeed the first time I have ever been embarrassed to be a student of the UWI Mona. Giving Bolt such an honour is indeed an act of stupidity beyond normal proportions to say the least,” one student allegedly said. “Sorry but Usain Bolt being given a doctorate makes a mockery of the entire tertiary education system,” said another.
Do you think Usain Bolt deserve to be honored with an Honorary Doctor of Law (LLD).
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Or even Business…
Thank god I don’t have a UWI degree. I think the institution has devalued and down graded the value of a UWI education. Apologies to everyone who has one.
Wow you guys cant all be serious…..So Usain Bolt gets awarded an Honorary Dr of Laws degree and some people are upset that they have to ‘buss’ their asses and study and he just ‘gets’ a degree……Now now now…..please understand guys that this is just what it says…..it is an award and not to be seen as the same as an education degree. Remember Beenie Man was awarded an honorary doctorate hence the title Dr Beenie Man and so was Jimmy Cliff and many others. It would be a good idea to read a complete news article and understand its contents before commenting……
Just an FYI…this “honorary” degree is simply an award in recognition of Mr. Bolt’s contribution to Jamaica. Well deserved but not to be confused with a Doctorate that has been earned through matriculation & study etc…
An honorary degree[1] or a degree honoris causa (Latin: “for the sake of the honor”) is an academic degree for which a university (or other degree-awarding institution) has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study and the passing of examinations. The degree is typically a doctorate or, less commonly, a master’s degree, and may be awarded to someone who has no prior connection with the academic institution.[2]
The degree is often conferred as a way of honouring a distinguished visitor’s contributions to a specific field or to society in general.[3] It is often given to graduation speakers at a university or college, and the university may derive benefits by association with the person in question. The degree is not recognized by employers as having the same stature as a corresponding earned doctorate degree and should not be represented as such. It is sometimes recommended that such degrees be listed in one’s CV as an award and not in their education section.
#2 Says it all! Usually the HONORARY Doctorate is conferred to someone in an area of their contribution or study, though they did not achieve Doctoral level. LAW makes no sense…unless he was pursuing legal studies we don’t know about….
MADNESS, THIS IS UTTERLY MADNESS.
Honorary degrees are often given with the motive of securing large donations for the university, not to celebrate outstanding achievements. Moreover, the university often derives benefits by a$$ociation with the person in question. So it is all a business game! and in the mean time we continue to sacrifice in myriad ways… I guess our contributions are insignificant!
wow… what madness? I gotta do something amazing, get famous- so I can get it handed to me too! Hope I never have to actually study for my mphil and phd…
wow… what madness? I gotta do something amazing, get famous- so I can get it handed to me too! Hope I never have to actually study for my mphil and phd…
wow this is complete crap….*shame* . Why UWI ?? Chancellor.. how can you allow this …in law…um so who was smioking ???? the entire academic board????
You Guys Just Making Noise…The scarcer a thing the more value and the more available a thing the less value… You all got degree and billions all over the world got it too…He is the FASTEST HUMAN ALIVE… You Degree can’t beat that…
Check this out, re: Bolt’s Degree | |.
It’s Aug21 2016: THIS BLOG DOES NOT EXIST ANYMORE so don’t click on the link
its called an honorary degree for a reason, its to honor the man for his achievements and marketing the caribbean as a region. This cannot be compared with a normal student’s degree as that is worked for.
The people who decided Bolt the degree are well educated and know what they are doing, and they were once students aswell!
its called an honorary degree for a reason, its to honor the man for his achievements and marketing the caribbean as a region. This cannot be compared with a normal student’s degree as that is worked for.
The people who decided Bolt the degree are well educated and know what they are doing, and they were once students aswell!
Honour should be given in a field related to SPORTS, NOT LAW…
Well written George. Mr Danai, would you not agree that every elite individuals in their own field of profession should not be give an honorary degree not related to what they do?? Clearly the western world will make a mockery of the UWI for this and by all means they have the right too.. USAIN BOLT should not hold that status
Dwayne Winston Perally there i accept a degree related to sporting would have been more suiting
Danai T. Chikukwa I was just being fair to the best of society.. Don’t get me wrong,,,im a fan of bolt but im also a fan of allot of people EXAMPLE Tiger Wood,Bill gates and so on. They should all be given a honor like this for their reputation far exceeds Bolt..AT the end of the day you and I along with everyone commenting on this post are all average.. Lets not waste anymore time commenting on this crap..All the best to you Mr Danai
its called an honorary degree for a reason, its to honor the man for his achievements and marketing the caribbean as a region. This cannot be compared with a normal student’s degree as that is worked for.
The people who decided Bolt the degree are well educated and know what they are doing, and they were once students aswell!
its called an honorary degree for a reason, its to honor the man for his achievements and marketing the caribbean as a region. This cannot be compared with a normal student’s degree as that is worked for.
The people who decided Bolt the degree are well educated and know what they are doing, and they were once students aswell!
When I felt the disgust rising in my stomach after having learned of this conferment I was hoping that there was something wrong with me. I cannot even imagine how great achievements in track and field could qualify anyone for a doctoral degree. I am also ashamed of the University of the West Indies. But, I am also confident that this is another case of some plunker coming up with this bright idea that he/she believes will top all other efforts to reward Usain, and a bunch of other idiots without spines just agree and go along to get along. I love Usain Bolt with all my heart, but I am afraid he will never be Dr Bolt for me, unless, of course, he earns it just like all the rest of us, who aspire to that level of qualification, have and must.
That’s why it’s called an “honorary doctorare” because he did not pursue the traditional academic route to get it. People get them all the time; including entertainers and in our Caribbean context even calypsonians. In Barbados, the Mighty Gabby was conferred with one and even some business entrepreneurs who did not go the traditional route of degrees. It’s a recognition of brilliance in your field and the title “honorary” removes the stigma of it being undeserved. Don’t understand what’s all the fuss. I’m working hard for a traditional Doctorate and I don’t grudge him one bit. I’m ashamed to see that his fellow countrymen are so “snobbish” and small-minded.
Someone explained the criteria for HONORARY Doctorate above. Please read that.
A sports related degree is okay but Doctor of Laws… WTF
While no one belittles Usain Bolt’s contribution to brand Jamaica and brand caribbean for that matter, I for one am not in agreement with this conferment. He has already received a plethora of duly deserved awards and accolades, including Jamaica’s fourth highest honour—the Order of Jamaica. When I think how we at UWI invest many years and money into studying to get a a plain first degree while this gentleman (who has been blessed with the talent of running a second or two faster than the average human) is given an honorary doctorate by virtue of his athletic prowess, to me it is watering down the value placed on higher learning. As a student in the faculty of law I will leave UWI after 3 years and US $30k later with a bachelors of law degree, while usain–who as far as I know have never attended a college or university— is a doctorof laws… can you see how illogical this seems? I take nothing from ‘the Bolt’, the man is a legend and quite frankly if I were being awarded a doctorate or any prestigious award by my country or any notable institution I, like Bolt, would gladly accept. However these national and regional institutions must be mindful of the message that such conferment sends. Quite frankly there are many athletes who have given of themselves in service to their country for several decades and have paved the way for the likes of Bolt yet I don’t hear them being called doctors…give unto caesar what is due to caesar… and do not over do it, lest we send wrong messages to those who have paved the way, those who also are doing well—yet are not highlighted as much, and those to come.
I am sorry but this is really pushing it too far….Students invest a lot of time studying and making financial investments into their education and to just see such a honourable degree just handed to Usain is total disrespect to such students….I strongly disagree with Usain being “handed” this degree.
sometimes things come easy to people who are exposed to fame however if he had his dedication and all hell yeah.
if he went to school do the work studed hard like everone else yes but if he didn’t then he don’t deserve it I don’t care if hes the fastes man alive.