Prof Wingfield was one of three of honorary degrees  recipients - the others including renowned musician Bramwell Tovey, conductor of the Vancouver Philharmonic Orchestra and the Right Hon. Paul Martin, economist and former president of Canada.

In his acceptance address to the congregation, amongst other issues, Prof Wingfield spoke of the advantages and the privilege of living and working in Africa, pointing out that Africa's promising future has yet to be realised and how well-established universities such as UBC could benefit greatly from closer engagement with the continent.

Earlier this year he has also been awarded the prestigious Johanna Westerdijk Award by the Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures (CBS) Fungal Biodiversity Centre. This Award is made on special occasions to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the culture collection of the CBS Fungal Biodiversity Centre, marking a distinguished career in mycology.