Jim Paterson

Dr Jim Paterson

Award of Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science

Jim Paterson led a project to build the world’s largest civilian hospital ship, which will transform the lives of thousands of people in sub-Saharan Africa.

The Global Mercy – the first vessel of its kind – will carry out life-changing surgery on more than 150,000 people during its expected 50-year lifespan. Jim, who is Marine Executive Consultant and former Senior Vice President of Marine Operations at Mercy Ships, led the team that developed the project from concept to its final delivery from the shipyard.

Jim, an alumnus of Glasgow College of Technology, one of the institutions that evolved into Glasgow Caledonian University, joined Mercy Ships as Chief Engineer in 1987. An international charity where 97% of staff members are volunteers, Mercy Ships is working to bring healthcare to some of the world’s poorest communities. Jim has worked on board its ships taking healthcare around the world as well as onshore, where he led the Marine Operations Department for more than 20 years.

The Global Mercy, launched last year, offers high-tech teaching facilities to train local healthcare professionals in the nations where it will serve, as well as surgery to correct cleft lips and palates and congenital deformities, remove tumours and restore eyesight, transforming the lives of patients, their families and communities.