Stellenbosch University (SU) bestowed an honorary doctorate on world-renowned epidemiologist and infectious disease expert Prof Salim Safurdeen Abdool Karim at its December graduation. Abdool Karim was awarded the degree Doctor of Science (DSc) (Medicine and Health Sciences), honoris causa, on Thursday (11 December 2025) at a graduation ceremony for the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.

He was honoured for his research and scientific contributions to policy development that have shaped the local, continental, and global response to HIV and Covid-19; for enabling, fostering, and supporting the growth and development of African science through capacity development programmes that empower both emerging and established scientists; and for generously sharing his knowledge within the academic discipline.

In his acceptance speech, Abdool Karim said it was a great pleasure and honour to receive the degree from SU. “Today, when I look at South Africa's accomplishments and I look at all of our universities, I'm particularly pleased to be here at Stellenbosch University as one of our country's leading institutions.

“But there's another reason I'm glad to be here, and that is that my wife already has a honorary doctorate from this university, and I need this doctoral degree to start catching up with her, because she has more honorary doctorates than I do.”

Abdool Karim had a special message for the new graduates. Delivering a “PEP” talk, he encouraged them to find their passion, strive for excellence, and persevere through challenges.

“Explore the world. Take in as many experiences as you can. Don't narrow your options too quickly.  And as you experience many, many things in this world, find the thing that excites you. Find your passion in life.

“Always strive to be the best you can be. Don't settle for second best. Strive to do better and better every day so that ultimately you are the best version of yourself, and are pursuing that excellence.

“Life is not a straight line. Life is not a flat road. It comes with its obstacle. It comes with its hills. Perseverance is what enables you to achieve what others before you have not, that you are willing to do what it takes. Every obstacle is a challenge. Persevere till you succeed.”

More about Salim Safurdeen Abdool Karim

Prof Salim Safurdeen Abdool Karim is a renowned epidemiologist. He has dedicated his research career to solving the two biggest obstacles to Africa achieving the United Nations goal of ending Aids by 2030: reducing deaths from HIV-TB co-infection and preventing new HIV infections among young women. 

He has contributed to the mitigation of the Covid-19 epidemic in Africa, serving as a Commissioner of the African Commission of Covid-19 of the African Union. He also served as the Chair of the South African Ministerial Advisory Committee on Covid-19, thereby leading the South African response to Covid-19. 

Abdool Karim’s research and his scientific contributions to policy development have played a key role in shaping the local, continental, and global response to HIV and Covid-19 and have contributed to averting thousands of deaths, particularly in Africa. As a result, he is widely acknowledged to be among Africa’s most eminent scientists. His scientific contributions include over 500 peer-reviewed journal publications, and he is one of the world’s most highly cited researchers.

Abdool Karim is the Director of the Centre for the Aids Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA) and CAPRISA Professor of Global Health at Columbia University, New York. He is also Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Adjunct Professor of Medicine at Cornell University, Adjunct Professor of Immunology and Infectious Diseases at Harvard University and Special Advisor on pandemics to the Director-General of the World Health Organisation. He has received numerous international awards, honours, and honorary doctorates.