Wits to honour three distinguished scholars
- Wits University
Recognising a banned youth education champion, an economic development specialist, and a legal philosopher during the autumn graduation season.
The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) will confer honorary doctorates upon three distinguished individuals in recognition of their outstanding contributions to education, economic research and law.
The honorary degrees will be awarded during the first cluster of the 2025 graduation ceremonies, taking place from 25 March to 3 April 2025. More than 5200 graduates will be capped this season.
The esteemed recipients are:
- Jennifer Glennie – Doctor of Education – 26 March, 13:30
- Professor Ernest Aryeetey – Doctor of Commerce – 26 March, 17:00
- Professor David Dyzenhaus – Doctor of Laws – 1 April, 09:30
Wits University’s Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Zeblon Vilakazi, shares his admiration for the honorees, stating: “These remarkable individuals have made lasting contributions to their respective fields, advancing knowledge, research, and policy that benefit society at large. We are proud to celebrate their achievements and welcome them into the Wits community.”
Biographies of Honorees
Jennifer Glennie (Doctor of Education)
A visionary leader in education, Jennifer Glennie has been instrumental in advancing open learning and distance education in South Africa. She played a critical role in the development of educational resources for out-of-school youth during the apartheid era and has led numerous initiatives to improve access to quality education. As the founding Director of the South African Institute of Distance Education (SAIDE), she has championed innovative solutions, such as the African Storybook initiative, which promotes home-language literacy for African children. Her dedication to lifelong learning and social justice has left a profound impact on education policy and practice in South Africa and beyond. Click here to read more about this citation.
Professor Ernest Aryeetey (Doctor of Commerce)
A renowned African economist and a leader in higher education, Professor Ernest Aryeetey has significantly contributed to economic research and institutional development across the continent. As the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, he played a pivotal role in transforming the institution into a research-intensive university. He is also the founding Secretary-General of the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA), where he has worked to strengthen partnerships among Africa’s top research institutions. His research on informal finance and economic development has influenced policy decisions in Africa and globally. Click here to read more about this citation.
Professor David Dyzenhaus (Doctor of Laws)
A leading legal philosopher and author, Professor David Dyzenhaus has made profound contributions to the study of constitutionalism, the rule of law, and legal theory. A Wits alumnus, his scholarship has influenced legal frameworks in Canada, South Africa, and beyond. His extensive academic work explores how law can serve as a tool for both oppression and resistance, a theme rooted in his early experiences in apartheid South Africa. Currently a professor at the University of Toronto, he has nurtured generations of legal scholars and continues to shape global legal thought through his publications and teaching. Click here to read more about this citation.
The University looks forward to honouring these distinguished individuals, whose work exemplifies the values of excellence, leadership, and service that Wits strives to uphold.