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SU to honour foremost thought leaders
Author: Corporate Communication / Korporatiewe Kommunikasie
Published: 10/10/2017

This year Stellenbosch University (SU) will bestow honorary doctorates on four thought leaders who have made an exceptional contribution to society both internationally and in South Africa: a famous South African documentary photographer, artist, activist and historian; a prominent medical researcher who has carried out pioneering research on an HIV vaccine; a former judge of the Supreme Court of South Africa; and a born-and-bred Stellenboscher who has had a huge impact worldwide in promoting more sustainable societies.

The recipients to be honoured in this way are Mr Omar Badsha and Professors Glenda Gray, Mervyn King and Markus Reuter. The Council approved the honorary doctorates at its meeting in September and the degrees will be awarded at the institution’s Graduation Ceremonies in December 2017 and in March 2018.

“It is a privilege for us to honour the recipients in this way. They have made it their life’s work to enrich the lives of others. Now it is time to recognise them as excellent role models to us all,” says Prof Wim de Villiers, SU Rector and Vice-Chancellor.

SU confers honorary doctorates to acknowledge excellence in a variety of fields as well as to identify the individuals concerned as role models for the University community.

  • Click here for more about the recipients.
  • Photos: Prof Markus Reuter (Copyright HZDR), Prof Glenda Gray, Mr Omar Badsha (photo credit: Mads Norgaar) and Prof Mervyn King