Honorary doctorate for Gift of Givers’ Sooliman

GIFT of the Givers founder Dr Imtiaz Sooliman will be awarded an honorary doctorate by Stellenbosch University as part of its centenary commemoration.

Sooliman’s continued quest to help the vulnerable, despite many challenges and often risking his life, and his ability to inspire others to serve their fellow man, mark a leader deserving Stellenbosch University’s recognition, said the university.

Sooliman will be among 14 foremost local and international thought leaders with an outstanding contribution to be recognised from March 19 until 23.

Sooliman gratitude.

“The recognition by an academic institution of the standing of Stellenbosch University is indeed very humbling.

“It implies our humanitarian activities have been valued, which in turn is a very positive reflection on our staff, volunteers and the organisation as a whole.

“It is also a reflection of society, for without the support of our people, their ubuntu spirit, prayer, spirituality, generosity and commitment to our activities, we would never be who we are today,” expressed his Sooliman said.

Stellenbosch University rector and vice-chancellor Wim de Villiers said Sooliman would be awarded the degree Doctor of Science for having established Gift of the Givers as a renowned vehicle of hope and relief, for skilfully harnessing his medical training to improve disaster-stricken and vulnerable people’s fates, and for his leadership in inspiring others to follow suit.

Gift of the Givers donated more than 17 000 5-litre bottles of water to the drought-stricken Drakenstein region on Tuesday. A day later the organisation opened a borehole, which it helped install at Soyisile Primary School in Khayelitsha.

De Villiers said: “The 14 recipients exemplify not only the graduate attributes that we aim to equip our students with, but the qualities we want to go into the future with as we enter the second century of our existence as a leading university”.

This year the institution will have six ceremonies held at the Coetzenburg Centre Stellenbosch, awarding a record number of 3 315 diplomas and degrees.

The institution will also award a record number of PhD and Master’s degrees, namely 164 and 1061 respectively.

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