"Encaenia... provides an opportunity to celebrate remarkable people from across the world who have exemplified (Oxford) University’s commitment to research, to teaching and to improving the world around us,” noted vice chancellor Louise Richardson while conferring honorary degrees on billionaire philanthropist Dr Cyrus Poonawalla and others on June 26, 2019. At Encaenia, the University recognizes distinguished people and commemorates its benefactors, noted news reports. The ceremony is held annually on the Wednesday of the ninth week during Trinity Term at the University.
"With Dr Poonawalla’s vision, SII (Serum Institute of India) has reached the unmatched figure of protecting more than two thirds of the infant population globally. He is also a generous philanthropist, focusing on public causes and underserved communities,” noted a statement on the University’s website. Poonawalla-founded SII produces more than 1.5 billion doses of vaccines a year that are used in over 170 countries.
Dr Cyrus Poonawalla (top, ext l) at Oxford University’s Encaenia to receive an honorary doctorate;
(center, ext r) with fellow awardees; (above) at the ceremony: "exemplifying the University’s commitment
to improving the world" Photos: Ian Wallman
Others recognized for their achievements include academicians Jennifer Doudna, Andrea Ghez, Shafi Goldwasser, Daniel Kahneman, Simon Wessely, cellist Yo-Yo Ma and singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.
A posse of family and friends accompanied Poonawalla to Oxford, noted columnist Malavika Sangghvi in the Hindustan Times of July 8: daughter-in-law Natasha, member of British parliament Lord Karan Bilimoria of Chelsea, racing aficionado Gautam Kotwal, lawyer Satish Maneshinde, Dr Parvez Grant of Ruby Hall Clinic and his wife Gillian, office bearers of the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe Rusi Dalal and Malcolm Deboo, among others. Natasha noted on the social media platform Instagram that she "converse(d) with some incredible faculty (about) ways to further our global health impact through our vaccine work at SII... Even more interesting was their in-depth knowledge of issues relevant to India for the Villoo Poonawalla Foundation to further our philanthropic endeavors.”