Caroline Pauwels awarded posthumous honorary doctorate in South Africa

VUB honorary rector celebrated for her sustained contribution to society by the University of the Western Cape | Follow the presentation via livestream on Friday at 17.00

August 29, 2024

Caroline Pauwels, the late honorary rector of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), is being posthumously awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of the Western Cape (UWC). The South African university is awarding the title for her contributions as an academic and a champion of science and humanism. The presentation will take place on Friday at 17.00 and will be livestreamed.

During her time as rector of the VUB, from 2016 to 2022, Caroline Pauwels took the international academic cooperation between VUB and UWC to new heights. She did this through placing emphasis on social responsibility alongside joint initiatives in research and teaching.

In 2021, in collaboration with UGent, the VUB awarded an honorary doctorate to the South African artist William Kentridge, after which the rector of the UWC visited Brussels from Cape Town.

It is in part for these efforts as a bridge-builder that Pauwels is being posthumously honoured, says UWC rector Tyrone Pretorius: “She made an enormous contribution as an academic and as a champion of science and humanism. Through this sustained social commitment, she made South Africa and the world a better place, and we wish to express our sincere appreciation.”

Jan Danckaert, rector of the VUB, emphasises the pride of the university community: “Our much-missed honorary rector Caroline was a boundlessly talented person who lives on in the rich humanistic and intellectual heritage that she has left the world. At the same time, this posthumous award embodies the shared values, hopes and aspirations that we promote as strategic partners and urban engaged universities.”

The official presentation of the honorary doctorate takes place on Friday at 17.00 in the Jakes Gerwel Hall of UWC and can be followed online via a livestream. Romain Meeusen, former vice-rector for Internationalisation in Caroline Pauwels’ team, will be present to accept the doctorate. It is an honour that would have made her very proud, he says.

“Caroline had a deep connection with South Africa and particularly admired Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. In her book Ode aan de Verwondering, she described them as examples of true leadership, especially for their role in the democratic transition and the impact of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. I think that, in the occasionally turbulent times during her work as rector, she drew great strength from their example.”

Caroline Pauwels previously received honorary doctorates from UCLouvain and the VUB’s sister university, Université libre de Bruxelles.

About Caroline Pauwels

Caroline Pauwels, a Belgian professor of communication science, was elected rector of the VUB in 2016. Her second mandate began in 2020 and should have continued until 2024, but she was forced to step down from her duties in 2022 due to illness. She passed away on 5 August 2022 from stomach and oesophageal cancer.

During her academic career, she published several essays and books on communication and the media, as well as on life and humanity. She was loved as rector for her openness. Connection was essential to her, and she wanted to create stronger bonds between the university, Brussels and the world. Through her engaging and unifying nature, often in public appearances, she brought the VUB prestige and renown.

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