Edinburgh University students gun for Mugabe’s doctorate

By Lance Guma
11 November 2005

Students from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland have begun the process of trying to strip Robert Mugabe of his honorary degree. UK based newspaper ‘The Scotsman’ reported that Mugabe received the degree in 1984 in recognition of the educational programmes he instigated in Zimbabwe. He was at the time described as ‘one of the great figures of modern Africa.’

But how things have changed. The students are now trying to push through a motion at the next annual general meeting urging University authorities to rescind the doctorate awarded to Mugabe. Students Association President, Ruth Cameron said Mugabe was not the sort of person the University should be seen to be associated with and authorities should reconsider their position.

A poor human rights record has seen Mugabe facing international isolation and the Scotsman newspaper says the students have expressed revulsion at the widespread reports of massacres in Matabeleland, torture, suppression of freedom of speech and oppression of homosexuals. The students must get the motion voted through before it can be taken to the University Court, the institution’s highest decision making body.

A similar motion by Labour students 3 years ago at the same university failed to take off after only 100 out of 300 students turned up to vote. This fell short of the required quorum. A spokesperson at the university said the application is being considered and the views of the students will be taken into account.