UTech to confer honorary degrees on Oliver Samuels, Richard Pandohie and Vivian Crawford

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Vivian Crawford, Oliver Samuels and Richard Pandohie will receive honorary degrees from the University of Technology (UTech) for their significant service to the nation during its 2026 graduation ceremonies.

Samuels, a Jamaican cultural icon, actor and comedian; Pandohie, chief executive officer and managing director of Seprod Jamaica Limited; and Crawford, the retired/former executive director of the Institute of Jamaica and educator, financier and heritage historian were described as nation builders by the institution.

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UTech said Samuels will be conferred on Saturday, November 14, at 10:00 am with the Honorary Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) in recognition of his significant contributions to Jamaican culture, theatre and comedy through a distinguished career spanning more than 55 years in theatrical performance, television and film.