Former weather presenter Gerrit Hiemstra will receive an honorary doctorate from the UG for his achievements in the field of meteorology and climate change.
The award is part of the 410th anniversary of the UG, which will be celebrated from May 21 to 25. Besides Hiemstra, three others will receive honorary doctorates: director-general Tedros Ghebreyesus of the World Health Organisation (WHO), economist Mariana Mazzucato, and artificial intelligence researcher Kate Crawford.
Hiemstra was a weatherman at Dutch broadcasting organisation NOS for twenty-four years. Last year on September 14, he presented the weather for the last time. He is now co-owner of Weather Impact, which focuses on innovative solutions in the field of weather and climate. He is also co-founder of Oarshûs, which facilitates sustainable housing construction.
Exceptional
Kate Crawford, at the University of Southern California, is getting an honorary doctorate because of her exceptional work as researcher in the field of social change and media technology, specifically in the field of artificial intelligence, the UG said.
Tedros Ghebreyesus has been director-general of the WHO since 2017. The UG is honouring him for his ‘exceptional commitment and dedication as WHO director-general in combating pandemics such as Covid-19’. He is also committed to fighting other diseases, including Ebola.
Sustainable
Finally, Mariana Mazzucato will receive an honorary doctorate for her ‘exceptional achievements as an economist in the field of technological change’. She advises policymakers around the world on innovation and sustainable economic growth. Mazzucato is a professor at University College London.
The UG’s honorary doctorate is symbolised by a traditional burgundy ‘kappa’ (cape), which the nominee receives. The new honorary doctor also receives a doctoral degree with the UG’s coat of arms and seal.
Earlier, the UG awarded honorary doctorates to Ban Ki-moon (in 2018), former secretary-general of the United Nations, and South African bishop and fighter against apartheid Desmond Tutu (in 2012), who died in 2021.