Eminent scientist and director of the SAMRC /Wits Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Analytics Research Unit (VIDA), Prof Shabir Madhi, is the winner of this year’s NSTF-South32 Lifetime Award. The award recognises an outstanding achievement by an individual to science, engineering and technology (SET) and innovation in South Africa over a period of 15 years or more.
Known as the ‘Science Oscars’ of South Africa, the 24th NSTF-South32 Awards took place last night as a hybrid gala event broadcasting live from two cities – Johannesburg and Cape Town under the theme ‘Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development‘, which was inspired by the international theme of the year proclaimed by the United Nations. Organised as a flagship project of the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF), they are a celebration of South African excellence and outstanding contribution to SET and innovation.
A man who wears different caps in different times and places, Prof needs no introduction – in addition to being director of the SAMRC extramural research unit, he is the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), the Professor of Vaccinology, School of Pathology, Wits, to mention a few. He has been at the cutting edge of research for life-saving vaccines since 1997 and led the first two COVID-19 vaccine trials in Africa.
In his award acceptance speech, Prof Madhi said he was dedicating the award to the millions of people who lost their lives, especially children, due to lack of access to vaccine.
President and CEO of the SAMRC, Professor Glenda Gray who also co-presented the awards, has congratulated Prof Madhi for the well-earned accolade and said his significant contribution to health research remains fundamental for reducing the nation’s burden of disease and preventing mortality. “The knowledge produced by this exceptional scientist will carry our country’s legacy of science forward and continue to improve the lives of citizens as it is evident with COVID-19.”
Prof Gray also confirmed that as of next year, the SAMRC will be joining the esteemed group of sponsors and partners of these prestigious awards event.
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