Honorary Degree for Global Medical Education Pioneer

Dr Charles Modica is being awarded the Honorary Doctorate of Civil Law for his outstanding contribution to global medical education, and for extending opportunities to talented students in North America, Europe, Africa, the Caribbean, and many developing countries around the world.

Dr Charles Modica, Chancellor and Chair of the Board of Trustees of St George’s University, founded the University on the Caribbean island of Grenada 33 years ago. 

His mission was to offer a first class medical education to those who were being excluded from US medical schools at the time.  The initiative proved so successful that the first cohort of graduates surpassed all expectations and achieved grades which were more than double the average world pass rate. 

Under Chancellor Modica’s guidance, St George’s University changed its earliest mission and became a truly international medical school; it also became a full university.   Today, the University offers advanced degrees in medicine, veterinary medicine, public health, business, the arts and sciences, and boasts a diverse community of students, graduates, faculty and staff from more than 140 countries.

To date, more than 8,700 professionals have graduated from St George’s University.  As Ambassador-at-Large for Grenada, Dr Modica has worked to promote the country’s infrastructure in health, industry, business and tourism.

“Our aim,” says Chancellor Modica, “is to enable students to reach their full potential, both for their own benefit, and for the benefit of their own countries.  We are particularly pleased to be able to offer degree opportunities to capable and ambitious students from developing countries and small Commonwealth states.

“It has been an exciting journey over the years and a source of great pride to me to have our University fully accepted as a centre of international excellence.  I am delighted that our achievements are being recognised today by Northumbria University.”

Dr Modica established St George’s University in 1977 and the institution has continued to push the boundaries of international higher education.  St George’s University is also the only independent university in the Caribbean with an internationally recognised research foundation which allows it to grant postgraduate masters degrees in public health and research.

The commitment to improving standards of healthcare in developing countries underpins the Keith B Taylor Global Scholars Programme, a ground-breaking partnership between St George’s and Northumbria University set up during St George’s 30th anniversary year. 

The Programme targets students who want to practise medicine in a developing country or underserved areas of developed nations.  It enables students to spend a year at Northumbria University, studying basic medical science, before continuing their studies in Grenada.  So far, some 645 students have joined this innovative programme. 

Professor Andrew Wathey, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Northumbria University says: “Chancellor Modica has fulfilled his clear ambition to make a real difference in the provision of high quality medical education.  He was determined to make a career in medicine accessible to those with potential, and since then he has developed an institution of distinction in its teaching and research.

“He has strengthened St George’s University’s mission over three decades and built considerably upon success - developing global partnerships with wide reaching benefits for students and patients.  We are delighted to honour his achievements today, alongside those graduating from the School of Applied Sciences at Northumbria University.”