Bharrat Jagdeo should not use “doctor” in front of his name

Jul 28, 2017 Letters

Dear Editor,
I wish to register my concern and ask that the veteran journalists teach the younger ones the basics of the profession of journalism. I have noted that in the print media, almost all of the writers refer to former President Jagdeo as Dr. Jagdeo. This should not be so for the reasons stated below:
Bharrat Jagdeo had an honorary doctorate degree conferred on him. This degree was not earned, it was conferred. An honorary degree,’honoris causa’ conferred on any person is for the sake of the honour. It is an acclaimed degree for which the University waives the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, a dissertation and the passing of a comprehensive examination.
The degree may be awarded to someone who has no prior connection with the academic institution or no previous post secondary education and is often conferred as a way of honouring a distinguished visitor’s contributions to a specific field or to society in general. With respect to the use of such a degree, the policies of contributions of higher education generally, that recipient of an honorary doctorate should restrict the use of the title Dr before their name, to any engagement with the institution of higher education in question and not the broader community.
Honorary degrees are ‘not’ considered of the same standing as substantive degrees earned by the standard academic processes of courses and original research. The recipient of an honorary degree may add the degree title post nominally but it should always be made clear that the degree is honorary by adding Hon. or Honoris Causa or h.c in parenthesis after the degree title.
Forbes Burnham, former President, academic, brilliant scholar and politician had his conferred by Dalhousie University in Canada. Fransisco Slinger (Mighty Sparrow) world famous calypsonian had his conferred on him, Clive Lloyd, one of the greatest cricketers had his conferred on him, Sr. Vivian Richards had one Satira Gyal (formerly of the education sector) had one, Yesu Persaud, business magnate had one – yet none of these distinguished persons have used the title because they all know better. So, journalists/reporters of the various newspapers, please take note.
S. S. Harris

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