UCC Crowns 'Amused' Sir Richard Branson with Honorary Doctorate

Kingston, Jamaica, July 29, 2024 - Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, was a little amused yesterday after being awarded an honorary doctor of Business and Entrepreneurship degree (Honoris Causa) from a university in the small island of Jamaica.

Branson, through a virtual presentation, accepted his honorary doctorate from the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean (UCC), during its 2024 commencement ceremony held inside the National Arena.

“I am full of gratitude and I must admit, a little amused, to receive this honorary doctorate in business and entrepreneurship,” said Branson, head of the Virgin Group.

“Who would have expected [me] a school drop-out ... would be speaking with you all today?” he amusingly said before stating that he can now boast alongside his daughter, who is the only one in his family with an earned doctorate degree.

“I look forward to teasing her that I joined the club,” he said.

He then extended congratulations to the other graduands who have overcome obstacles and achieved their respective academic degrees.

“Graduation is not an ending for you. It is a new beginning; a jumping off point to the magnificent world adventure of the rest of your life, and I view my life as one long university education that I never actually had. You’ve now had a university education, but that doesn’t mean you stop learning the minute you walk out the door. Actually, I think that’s where you really start,” Branson advised.

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