The University of Nicosia Medical School announced that Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), will be awarded an honorary doctorate during the Medical School's graduation ceremony on June 27.

In addition to receiving the honorary doctorate, Dr. Ghebreyesus will deliver the keynote address to the graduates of the University of Nicosia Medical School, sharing his vision and experiences, which are expected to inspire the new medical professionals, according to a university statement.

The graduation ceremony will be broadcast live on the WHO and University of Nicosia Medical School websites.

Dr. Ghebreyesus, who was elected in 2017 to lead the WHO, has previously served as Ethiopia's Minister of Health (2005–2012) and Minister of Foreign Affairs (2012–2016).

"Following his election, he committed to strengthening the WHO to meet the needs of the 21st century, ensuring it is equally accessible to all, efficiently managed, and adequately funded," the university's statement noted.

Since July 2017, Dr. Ghebreyesus has led the most ambitious and comprehensive program of organizational change in the history of the WHO.

The statement highlighted that his goal is for the organization "to be fully capable of fulfilling its central role in the global health system, adapting to the rapid changes in the world." One of his significant achievements is the WHO's role during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2020, Dr. Ghebreyesus was included in TIME magazine's list of the 100 most influential people globally.