The University of British Columbia will be awarding honorary degrees to prominent China economist Justin Yifu Lin and global health campaigner Michel Sidibé during the spring congregation ceremonies. They join the nine other recipients announced earlier this year.
Justin Yifu Lin is a leading thinker on why some countries develop more successfully than others. As chief economist and senior vice-president of the World Bank from 2008 to 2012, former director of the China Centre for Economic Research at Peking University and now honorary dean of the National School of Development at Peking University, Dr. Lin has been a strong voice for the role of government in promoting economic growth. His books on the Chinese economy are used in economics courses at leading universities around the world. He is one of China’s most influential advisers on economic policy and reform.
Michel Sidibé has been at the centre of the global movement for universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care, and support. Throughout his 20 years of service to the UN and 14 years at UNICEF, he championed global health, education and human rights. Since 2009 he has been Executive Director of UNAIDS (the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS) and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations.
UBC awards honorary degrees in recognition of substantial contributions to society at the provincial, national or international levels. The recipients will receive their degrees during the spring congregation ceremonies, held May 21-28 on the UBC Point Grey campus.
Photos of all honorary degree recipients are available here.