The University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech) will confer honorary degrees on four outstanding Jamaicans at its annual graduation ceremony to be held on November 7. They are Lester Woolery, Tony Hart and Oliver Clarke who will be awarded the Doctor of Laws (LLD) honoris causa and Dr Rae Davis, who will be conferred the Doctor of the University (DUniv) honoris causa degree.

Woolery will be recognised for his more than 45 years' contribution to the pharmaceutical profession. He was the first director of pharmaceutical services in the Ministry of Health in 1964 and served in that capacity for 27 years. He has received numerous fellowships through PAHO/WHO, UNDP and the World Bank in areas relating to pharmaceutics and has served as consultant for several USAID-funded consultancies.

50 years' contribution

Hart's contribution to Jamaica's development has spanned more than 50 years. He started a number of companies in Jamaica, including a Ford dealership in Montego Bay, and was instrumental in the development of Montego Bay Freeport. The harbour has become a major business site for cruise shipping, manufacturing and import/export business. Today, the Hart Group employs more than 2,000 people and consists of apparel, port management, stevedoring and agriculture.

Chairman of The Gleaner, Clarke, has given extensively in the area of business to the Jamaican community. He serves as a board member of several organisations and has received numerous local and international awards for his contribution to development in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean community.

Distinguished educator and policymaker, Dr Davis, has held leadership positions in several national, regional and international organisations including being president of the UTech, president of the Jamaica Institution of Engineers, president of the Jamaican Society of Scientists and Technologists, vice-president of the Inter-American Science Association (Intercienca) and member of the executive board of the Association of Commonwealth Universities. In 2004, he chaired the Prime Minister's Task Force on Educational Reform.