Calestous Juma Awarded Honorary Degree (1993 Laureate)

News from the Kennedy School Office of Communications and Public Affairs
Calestous Juma Awarded Honorary Degree

Calestous Juma, director of Science, Technology, and Globalization at Kennedy School’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs has been awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Science by Ghana’s University of Education, Winneba. He has been honored for his “illustrious and inspiring role as an internationally-recognized authority and leader in the application of science and technology to sustainable development in both developing and developed countries.”

The degree was awarded at the University’s 12 th commencement attended Ghana’s President John Kufuor and several cabinet ministers. Professor Juma delivered a commencement lecture on “Economic Growth as Social Learning: Africa in the Age of Rapid Technological Change” in which he challenged African universities to align their missions to community needs while maintaining high academic standards.

Professor Juma also presented to President Kufuor an advance copy of Freedom to Innovate: Biotechnology in Africa’s Development, a report of the High-Level African Panel on Modern Biotechnology of the African Union (AU) and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) which he co-chairs. President Kufuor is the current chairperson of the African Union.

The 14-member panel was set up by African heads of states to provide “independent and strategic advice on developments in modern biotechnology and its implications for agriculture, health and the environment”.