Prof Quarraisha Abdool Karim was awarded an honorary doctorate by Rhodes University in Makhanda for her work on HIV infection and how antiretrovirals can prevent it.
Prof Abdool Karim is a globally renowned infection specialist and is the recipient of more than 40 awards all over the world, including South Africa’s highest honour, the Order of Mapungubwe.
Rhodes wrapped up its graduation ceremony today which started earlier this week. It was also the first time since the start of the pandemic that the institution reverted back to an in-person ceremony.
Three other honorary doctorates were also conferred this week on Professor Makhosazana Xaba, the late Ambassador Lindiwe Mabuza and Lord Peter Hain.
This is yet another honour for prof. Abdool Karim, a degree of doctor in science. Well known for her research on the prevention of HIV in adolescence and young women.
She’s got over 30 years’ worth of dedication and perseverance, putting her on a higher pedestal. Her groundbreaking research demonstrated that antiretroviral can also prevent the sexual transmission of HIV.
History Professor Paul Maylam says, “Very few people have done the work that she has. She hung on to her research into HIV. She serves as a role model to young prospective female scientists. As there is still a big challenge.”
According to University of Rhodes Vice-Chancellor Sizwe Mabizela, young women are dominating this season’s graduation.
“On other important news, 60% of graduates in this ceremony are women, ‘malibongwe igama labafazi’. And 13% are international students.”
The late Ambassador Prof. Lindiwe Mabuza, Prof Makhosana Xaba and Lord Peter Hain were also conferred honorary doctorates.
