​News | 18 November 2022
Cardiff Metropolitan University has awarded an Honorary Doctorate to Barbara Wickham OBE at its annual postgraduate graduation ceremony at the Wales Millennium Centre.
This follows on from Cardiff Met bestowing Honorary titles on a number of high profile individuals in its summer graduation ceremonies. Jason Mohammad, Professor Charlotte Williams OBE, Barbara Wilding CBE, QPM and John Burn-Murdoch were all honoured for their significant achievements.
Barbara Wickham is an educationalist who most recently led the India operations of the British Council, the UK's international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. She has been a positive force within its global operations for more than 30 years.
With a lifelong dedication to education and English, Barbara began her career as an English language teacher in Cairo. She has led on many projects to improve the quality of teaching and learning and remains committed to building educational and cultural links between the UK and the countries in which she has worked.
Barbara was instrumental in driving significant initiatives including the mutual recognition of academic qualifications in higher education between India and the UK. Her passion for supporting women in higher education resulted in the launch of a gender equality framework in STEM institutions and a Women's Scholarship Scheme across India.
A committed environmentalist, Barbara established a carbon-neutral operation during her four-year tenure in Bangladesh, through a mangrove rehabilitation scheme.
As the British Council's Strategic Lead for Safeguarding across South Asia, Barbara helped ensure that all children with which the Council works were safe from harm.
She studied history and applied linguistics, speaks Spanish and Mandarin.
Barbara was appointed an OBE in 2017 for Services to Cultural Relations.
Commenting on the bestowing of the Honorary Doctorate from Cardiff Metropolitan University, Barbara said: "I can't tell you how astonished and delighted I was to receive the letter from the Vice Chancellor Professor Cara Aitchison, nominating me for this honour.
"My deepest thanks go to Cardiff Metropolitan University; I very much look forward to a long and fruitful relationship."
