Kieny awarded an honorary doctorate for her "undeniable commitment" to the underprivileged

16/01/2019

On 16 January French microbiologist and activist Marie-Paule Kieny was awarded an honorary doctorate by the UAB in recognition of her "undeniable commitment to helping the underprivileged", according to Rector Margarita Arboix in her speech. Microbiologist Professor Tomàs Pumarola was the sponsor of the newest honorary doctor and described Kieny as "one of the scientists who has contributed most with her work to improving developing countries".

This distinction forms part of the five exceptional honorary doctorates the UAB will be awarding this year in commemoration of its 50th anniversary and corresponds to the area of solidarity. In her acceptance speech, Kieny expressed how "proud"she felt to be "recognised as a health activist".

The microbiologist spoke about her professional career, recalling that in her youth she was determined to not follow in the footsteps of her family and pursue a career in medicine, but that finally she has worked her "whole life to fight for health". With regard to her commitment to working with developing countries, she explained that her interest in Africa began when she was little. She then went on to list the contributions she has made to developing medicines needed to fight the diseases afflicting these regions, and her quest for the search of a vaccine against rabies and her ongoing research to cure mengitis and Ebola, among other diseases.

Kieny's efforts also have focused on making drugs affordable in developing countries, particularly through the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative. In this sense, she criticised the fact that drug prices often "do not respond to the costs of research, but to the search of the maximum of benefits".

Research and Solidarity

The closing speech was given by Rector Arboix, who affirmed that "we must learn from Kieny" because "her trajectory has made it possible for many men and women to have better healthcare" and therefore "her contribution has made the world a better, more equal and safer and, surely, a happier place". Rector Arboix remarked that solidarity and being supportive is one of the UAB'¡s principles, and recalled the actions taken by members of the university community in the fields of social cooperation and action, as well as the contributions research has made as a "means of social progress", a trait she defined as one of the "essential objectives" of the university.

Among the five exceptional honorary doctorates being awarded this year, Kieny's award corresponds to the field of solidarity. It is the second distinction to be awarded this year, after sculptor Jaume Plensa received the first honorary doctorate corresponding to the field of cultural identity. Lawyer Caddy Adzuba (freedom of expression), journalist Joaquim Maria Puyal (commitment ot Catalan language and society) and physicist Lisa Randall (knowledge) will also be receiving the award this year.

More information: The Audacity of Knowledge: 50 years UAB