The University of Johannesburg (UJ) today conferred a PhD Honoris Causa on Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation and Education Above All, in recognition of her work in defence of human rights, placing children’s education at the centre of global policy, and investing in progress and social reform.

Coming days after South Africa’s National Heritage Day, in a nation whose own history embodies the defence of human dignity and freedom against oppression, the honorary doctorate was conferred at the University’s graduation ceremony presided over by Professor Letlhokwa George Mpedi, Vice-Chancellor and Principal. The honorary doctorate was received on behalf of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser by H.E. Mubarak bin Nasser Al Khalifa, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to South Africa.

The University noted that the honour comes at a time of significant global disruption, in which the protection of human rights and access to education have become central to the pursuit of sustained peace and development, a cause to which few individuals have devoted themselves as consistently as Sheikha Moza bint Nasser.

“The values that Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser embodies align with those of the University of Johannesburg, including visionary leadership in education, social justice, and a lifelong dedication to equity and sustainable progress. She has led numerous impactful initiatives that directly contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We are delighted to confer an honorary doctorate on Sheikha Moza for her profound global impact and for inspiring the UJ community and society at large,” said UJ Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Letlhokwa George Mpedi.

Ambassador H.E. Mubarak bin Nasser Al Khalifa, receiving the honorary doctorate on Sheikha Moza bint Nasser’s behalf, said: “Since the founding of Qatar Foundation in 1995 by the late Father Amir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser has built Education City into a hub for world-class universities and research institutions. In 2012, she founded Education Above All, whose efforts led to United Nations Security Council resolution 2601 (2021), the first to explicitly condemn attacks on schools, teachers and students, and to the establishment of the International Day to Protect Education from Attack. Programmes under her leadership have since reached millions of children across the Middle East, Africa and Asia, including those displaced by conflict in Syria, Afghanistan, Palestine and several African States.

The University stated that the values embodied by Her Highness, her visionary leadership in education and her sustained dedication to equity, are examples of its founding core principles of inclusivity, transformation, accessibility, and academic excellence.

In addition to Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, the University has already conferred honorary doctorates this year on:

• Monday, 16 March 2026 – Her Excellency Monica Geingos (Global Health and Social Development Advocate)
• Wednesday, 25 March 2026 – Francois Pienaar (Former Springbok Captain)
• Friday, 27 March 2026 – Tryphosa Ramano (Chartered Accountant and Financial Leader)
• Wednesday, 15 April 2026 – Professor Njabulo Ndebele (Literary and Academic Leader)
• Thursday, 16 April 2026 – Mr John Samuel (Education Policy Leader)
• Friday, 29 May 2026 – Professor Loyiso Nongxa (Academic Leader and Mathematician)