Sean Paul to receive honorary doctorate from UTech, Jamaica

The University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech, Jamaica) says it will confer an honorary degree on internationally-renowned musician and entertainer Sean Paul Henriques, OD, at its 2024 Graduation Ceremony.

UTech said it will also confer such degrees on distinguished Jamaicans Major General Antony Anderson, CD, former Commissioner of Police of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and Christopher Zacca, CD, prominent Jamaican business leader.

UTech said it will host Graduation Ceremonies on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, and Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024 at the Alfred Sangster Auditorium, Papine Campus.

Graduates of the Faculty of Engineering and Computing, the Joint Colleges of Medicine, Oral Health and Veterinary Sciences, the College of Health Sciences, and the Faculty of Law will be presented on Nov. 15, while graduates of the College of Business and Management, the Faculty of Science and Sport, the Faculty of The Built Environment, and the Faculty of Education and Liberal Studies will receive academic awards the next day.

In recognition of his “phenomenal achievements in music and for his contribution to nation building,” UTech, Jamaica said it will confer Sean Paul with the Doctor of Letters Honoris Causa (Hon. D. Litt) at its Graduation Ceremony on Nov.15.

“Sean Paul Henriques, Grammy Award-winning international superstar, is renowned for his distinct voice, catchy rhythms, first-rate production and superb performances,” the university said. “His musical career took off in 2002 with the success of his second studio album, Dutty Rock, which was driven by his Billboard Hot 100 hits ‘Gimmie the Light’ and ‘Get Busy’.”

Since rising to international fame in 2000, UTech said Sean Paul has continued to maintain his presence in the music industry, with recent hits including “Cheap Thrills,” “Rockabye,” “No Lie” and “Body.”

UTech said Sean Paul attended the university in pursuit of a degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management, “but his passion for music ultimately led him to leave before completing his studies.

“Sean Paul’s talent and dedication to his craft have earned him several GRAMMY and Billboard Music Award nominations, as well as accolades including an American Music Award, MOBO Awards, Soul Train Awards, MTV Music Awards, ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Music Awards, a Source Award, and a BET Award,” said UTech, stating that Sean Paul is the only Jamaican artist to win an American Music Award (2006) for Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist.

It said Sean Paul’s album successes and live performances have brought him fame, making him the first Jamaican artist to perform in Kazakhstan and Madagascar, as well as in over 100 other countries.

While rooted in reggae and dancehall, the university said Sean Paul has collaborated across genres like EDM, soca, pop, afrobeats and Latin, “building a substantial fan base in Latin America, Japan, Europe, and the USA.”

UTech said Sean Paul has collaborated with numerous other international and local stars, including Busta Rhymes, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Keyshia Cole, Kelly Rowland, Juicy J, 2Chainz, and Nicki Minaj.

It said Sean Paul has created and produced music for top Jamaican artists, such as Konshens, JCapri, Cham, Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Elephant Man, Ding Dong, Vanessa Bling, Mr. Vegas and Denyque.

UTech noted that, in 2019, Sean Paul received the Order of Distinction (OD) from the Jamaican government for his contribution to the global popularity and promotion of reggae music.