Sierra Leonean humanitarian recognised with honorary degree

Mon 27 July, 2015
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The Sierra Leonean Ambassador with a passion for humanitarianism and international relations, Umaru Bundu Wurie, was awarded an honorary degree at the 台湾六合彩开奖记录 last week (July 23).

Ambassador Wurie, who collected his award at one of the University鈥檚 summer graduations, has served three different Sierra Leonean governments, a rare feat in African politics and an indication of the respect in which he is held in his home country.

The Ambassador is active in humanitarian affairs, serving as Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator for the United Nations in Iraq, and as Executive Board member of the World Food Programme in central America.

It鈥檚 his international humanitarian work, including helping refugees from war-torn Liberia and supporting the fight against Ebola, which earned him recognition from the University with the award of Honorary Doctor of Business Administration.

Ambassador Wurie studied at the University in the late 1990s, graduating with a Masters of Arts in International Relations in 2001. During his acceptance speech, he commended the education he received at 台湾六合彩开奖记录.

鈥淚鈥檓 proud and humbled to receive this honorary degree from the University,鈥 he said. 鈥淭his degree is the icing on the cake of my already distinguished career.

鈥淚 believe the achievements of mine are a result of the knowledge gained at this university, which has enabled me to serve my country diligently.鈥

Umaru Bundu Wurie speaking

His honorary award 鈥 for his 鈥榦utstanding contribution to diplomacy and international relations鈥 鈥 was the penultimate one announced during the past fortnight of graduations. Fellow honoraries were Chief Executive of the Disability Resource Centre Michael Dillon, PR guru Caroline Kinsey and Pastor Lloyd Denny.

Thousands of students from across all the University鈥檚 faculties picked up their degrees across 16 ceremonies at Bedford and Luton.

Ambassador Wurie attended a ceremony celebrating the achievements of Creative Arts, Technologies and Science students, instructing them to go forth into their careers and praising the University鈥檚 ethos of transforming lives and its investment in facilities.

鈥淎ll of these developments are a huge investment by the University to develop men and women from all over the world,鈥 he said. 鈥淭his university doesn鈥檛 just focus on education; it also considers the human aspect of development.

鈥淏e good with the ambassadors of this university and go with my sincere best wishes into your careers and the rest of your lives.鈥

The Ambassador has served as Sierra Leone鈥檚 High Commissioner to Nigeria and as its Ambassador to a number of countries, including India, Germany and Saudi Arabia. Ambassador Wurie has held a number of diverse posts in Sierra Leone, including the country鈥檚 Ambassador at Large and a special envoy of the President. He now plans to run for the Sierra Leonean Presidency in the 2018 elections.

For his dedicated and outstanding service to his nation 鈥 including developments in education, power sectors and roads 鈥 the Ambassador was awarded the Commander of the Order of the Republic of Sierra Leone. Internationally, he was made a Grand Commander of the order of Malta and a Knight of the Republic of Italy.

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