UTech, Jamaica to Confer Honorary Degrees on Nation-Builders, Major General Antony Anderson, Christopher Zacca and Sean Paul Henriques

The University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech, Jamaica) will confer honorary degrees on distinguished Jamaicans Major General Antony Anderson, CD, former Commissioner of Police of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF); Mr. Christopher Zacca, CD, prominent Jamaican business leader; and internationally renowned musician and entertainer Sean Paul Henriques, OD, at its 2024 Graduation Ceremony.

UTech, Jamaica will host Graduation Ceremonies on Friday, November 15, 2024, and Saturday, November 16, 2024, both beginning at 10:00 am 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 Friday, November 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 on Saturday, November 16, 2024.

Doctor of Technology

Major General Antony Anderson, CD, has had a distinguished military career in the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) spanning 34 years. He is a leading security expert in the Anglophone Caribbean, having commanded both of Jamaica’s security forces and led a multi-national force in the region. In his most recent role, he served with distinction as Commissioner of Police of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) for six years, from March 2018 to March 2024. His exemplary tenure resulted in the transformation and professionalization of the Force, including institutional changes and developments that have enhanced the JCF’s operational capacity and public trust.

Under his command, major crimes were at their lowest in over 20 years. During his stewardship, the JCF embraced technological innovation, becoming a standard-bearer for efficiency and effectiveness in the region. His lobbying for significant investments led to the introduction of cutting-edge technologies such as facial recognition systems, license plate reading cameras, and drones, catapulting the JCF into a new era of policing. Most notably, under his exemplary leadership, the JCF achieved ISO 9001 certification, becoming the only police force in the region to implement a quality management system that significantly uplifts its service delivery standards.

Major General Anderson has held several command appointments throughout his career, including Commanding Officer for the JDF Air Wing and the 1 Engineer Regiment (JDF). Prior to his appointment as Commissioner of Police, he served as Jamaica’s first National Security Advisor and, for six years, as the Chief of Defence Staff of the JDF. He also spent two years as the Deputy Chief of Defence Staff, responsible for force strategy, future plans and development, coordination of the National Security Strategy, and the implementation of the JDF's Strategic Defence Review (SDR). In September 2024, he was appointed by the Prime Minister to head the newly established Disaster Risk Management Review Committee (DRMRC)—a technical committee formed to strengthen Jamaica’s response to disasters.

Major General Anderson has served as a Member of the Board of Directors of the Jamaica Fire Brigade and Heart Trust/NTA, and as Chairman of the Firearm Licensing Authority. He is also a Justice of the Peace for the parish of Kingston.

An alumnus of the College of Arts, Science and Technology (CAST), now University of Technology, Jamaica, Major General Anderson holds a Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a Master's degree in Defence Administration from Cranfield University, United Kingdom. He was inducted into the International Hall of Fame of the US Army Command and General Staff College on October 10, 2017. For his stellar contribution to national development, Major General Antony Anderson will be conferred with the Doctor of Technology Honoris Causa (Hon. DTech) at the UTech, Jamaica Graduation Ceremony on Saturday, November 16, 2024.

Doctor of Laws

Mr. Christopher Zacca, CD, is a prominent Jamaican business leader with a wealth of business and management experience in both the public and private sectors spanning over three decades. He is currently the President and CEO of Sagicor Group Jamaica, a position he has held since May 2017, and serves on the Boards of all Sagicor Group Jamaica companies in Jamaica, Cayman, and Costa Rica. Mr. Zacca is Chairman of the Board of the Sagicor Jamaica Foundation, a registered charity that plays a significant role in supporting health and education initiatives and sponsors the annual Sagicor Sigma Run for Charity.

He has held senior executive positions at Desnoes and Geddes (Red Stripe), the ATL/Sandals Group, and Air Jamaica Ltd., where he served as CEO and Deputy Chairman between 1998 and 2004. He has also served as President of the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ) for five terms, from 2007 to 2009 and 2012 to 2014. The distinguished Jamaican business magnate has served on several other private sector boards, including Playa Hotels and Resorts (NASDAQ: PLYA), Sandals Resorts, Air Jamaica, and the Jamaica Observer newspaper.

He is a founding member of the public/private Economic Program Oversight Committee (EPOC), which provided oversight to the implementation of the GOJ/IMF 2013 Agreement that transformed Jamaica’s fiscal management, and a conceptualizer and member of the public/private Electricity Sector Enterprise Team (ESET).

Mr. Zacca holds an MBA from the University of Florida and a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

In recognition of his invaluable contribution to the private and public sectors in Jamaica, he was conferred with the National Honour of the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander (CD) in 2014. Mr. Zacca received the Jamaica Observer 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award for Business and the UWI Mona School of Business Management’s Outstanding Business Leader Award in 2023. He is also the recipient of the American Friends of Jamaica International Achievement Award in 2024.

In recognition of his sterling contribution to Jamaica’s economic development, UTech, Jamaica will confer the Doctor of Laws Honoris Causa (Hon. LLD) on Mr. Zacca at its Graduation Ceremony on Saturday, November 16, 2024.

Doctor of Letters

Sean Paul Henriques, Grammy Award-winning international superstar, is renowned for his distinct voice, catchy rhythms, first-rate production, and superb performances. 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, Sean Paul has continued to maintain his presence in the music industry, with recent hits including "Cheap Thrills," "Rockabye," "No Lie," and "Body."

Sean Paul attended the University of Technology, Jamaica, 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. He is the only Jamaican artist to win an American Music Award (2006) for Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist.

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

In recognition of his phenomenal achievements in music and for his contribution to nation building, UTech, Jamaica will confer Sean Paul Henriques with the Doctor of Letters Honoris Causa (Hon. DLitt) at its Graduation Ceremony on Friday, November 15, 2024.

Chancellor’s Medal

The University of Technology, Jamaica will present The Chancellor’s Medal at its Graduation Ceremony on Friday, November 15, 2024.The Chancellor’s Medal is the University’s most prestigious non-academic award of equal status to an Honorary Doctorate which is bestowed by the Chancellor to recognize the contributions of individuals or institutions of national or international significance. The Chancellor’s Medal will be awarded to Mrs. Cynthia Shako who served as Head of Health Services at the former College of Arts, Science and Technology (CAST) now University of Technology, Jamaica. Mrs. Shako is being honoured for her pioneering work in establishing the Cynthia Shako Early Childhood Education and Daycare Centre at the institution in 1993, with the mission of operating as a non-profit unit providing full day and aftercare services for infants of students and staff.

Commenting on the accolades to be conferred on these outstanding Jamaicans, Dr. Kevin Brown, President, UTech, Jamaica stated, “The University of Technology, Jamaica is pleased to honour these distinguished nation-builders in recognition of their stellar contributions to Jamaica’s growth and development. Their dedication and impact serve as an inspiration to all, and we celebrate their achievements as we encourage our graduates to emulate their success.”

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Contact:

Michelle A. Beckford (Mrs.) 
Corporate Communications Manager 
Corporate Communications Unit 
Advancement Division 
University of Technology, Jamaica 
237 Old Hope Road, Kingston 6, Jamaica 
Tel: (876) 970-5299; 927-1680-8 Ext. 2299  
Email: mbeckford@utech.edu.jm