South Africa’s (SA) Stellenbosch University (SU) awarded an honorary doctorate to world-renowned Epidemiologist and infectious disease expert, Professor Salim Safurdeen Abdool Karim, during its December graduation ceremony.
Abdool Karim received the degree Doctor of Science (DSc) (Medicine and Health Sciences), honoris causa, this Thursday at a ceremony for the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
The honour recognises his pioneering research and contributions to policy development that have shaped responses to HIV and Covid-19 locally, across Africa, and globally. It also acknowledges his commitment to nurturing African science through capacity-building initiatives and mentoring both emerging and established researchers.
In his acceptance speech, Abdool Karim expressed his delight at being recognised by SU. “Today, when I look at SA’s accomplishments and I look at all of our universities, I’m particularly pleased to be here at SU as one of our country’s leading institutions,” he said.
He also injected a personal note of humour. “But there’s another reason I’m glad to be here, and that is that my wife already has a doctor from this university, and I need this doctoral degree to start catching up with her, because she has more honorary doctorates than I do.”
Addressing the new graduates, Abdool Karim delivered a motivational “PEP” talk, urging them to discover their passion, pursue excellence, and persevere through life’s challenges. “Explore the world. Take in as many experiences as you can. Don’t narrow your options too quickly. Find the thing that excites you. Find your passion in life. Always strive to be the best you can be. Life is not a straight line. It comes with obstacles. Perseverance is what enables you to achieve what others before you have not.”
Abdool Karim has dedicated his career to addressing two of the biggest barriers to ending AIDS in Africa by 2030; reducing deaths from HIV-TB co-infection and preventing new HIV infections among young women. He played a central role in Africa’s Covid-19 response as Commissioner of the African Union Covid-19 Commission and as Chair of SA’s Ministerial Advisory Committee on Covid-19.
He is Director of the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in SA (CAPRISA) and CAPRISA Professor of Global Health at Columbia University, New York. Abdool Karim also serves as Pro Vice-Chancellor at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Adjunct Professor at Cornell University and Harvard University, and Special Advisor on pandemics to the Director-General of the World Health Organisation.
Widely regarded as one of Africa’s leading scientists, Abdool Karim has published over 500 peer-reviewed journal articles and is among the world’s most highly cited researchers. His work has contributed to averting thousands of deaths and shaping policies that have had a lasting impact on public health worldwide.
–ChannelAfrica–
