The National Autonomous University of Mexico awarded the degree of doctorate honor causes 14 outstanding figures whose careers include outstanding contributions in areas such as international politics, human rights, economics, neuroscience, migration, physics, chemistry, astrophysics, public health, medicine and linguistics.
In its official statement, the institution explained that among the recognized people are Michelle Bachelet Jeriaformer president of Chile and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights; Julio Frenk Moraformer Secretary of Health in Mexico; and Joseph Sarukhán Kermez, former rector of the same university.
Through social networks, UNAM highlighted that Bachelet received the distinction for her political leadershipits drive to empower women and its defense of human rights; Frenk was recognized for his solid academic career and his contribution to educational development in Mexico and North Americawhile Sarukhán was awarded for his key role in promoting knowledge about biodiversity.
Likewise, the distinction was awarded to international figures such as Dani Rodrik, Turkish-American economist; Alejandro Portes, Cuban-American sociologist; Dag Hanstorp, Swedish physicist; Antonio María Hernández, Argentine jurist and the Spanish neurobiologist, Rafael Yuste.
Among the Mexicans who also received the honorary doctorate is Una Canger, linguist expert in Mayan languages; Estela Susana Lizano Soberónastrophysicist, researcher at UNAM; Susana López Charretón, virologist from UNAM; María Emilia Lucio and Gómez Maqueo, psychologist from UNAM; Moses Eduardo Selman Lamadoctor specializing in respiratory diseases from Mexico and Soledad Alejandra Velázquez Zaragozachemical sciences researcher.
The institution highlighted that their careers represent exceptional contributions to Mexico and the world in academic, scientific, artistic and social service fields with research that has marked public decisions and intellectual advances in different fields.
During delivery, Leonardo Lomelí, rector of UNAMhighlighted that the personal trajectories of those invested “broaden the horizon of what it means to think, teach, care for and defend human dignity.
He added that this ceremony is not a pause, but a response to adversity, since the University is not paralyzed. “It attends, evaluates, corrects when necessary and reaffirms its willingness to establish communication channels, seek the truth and guarantee the safety of its members.”
“In the face of turbulence and uncertainty, we commemorate and disseminate the material and intellectual works of those who generate applied knowledge and promote hope from different latitudes,” Lomelí highlighted.
The degree of Doctor Honoris Causa is the highest honorary distinction granted by UNAM. It has its roots in the university traditions of Medieval Europe and, since its adoption by this house of studies, it has become a symbol of excellence, moral authority and commitment to knowledge and humanity.
The recognition is conferred on Mexican or foreign people who have contributed exceptionally to the sciences, humanities, arts or to the improvement of the living conditions and well-being of society. It is a way in which the University expresses that the work of those who receive it reflects the values that guide the institution, the University indicated.
YC