Internationally renowned humanitarian leader Elhadj As Sy was formally installed as Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine’s first Chancellor at its 2024 graduation ceremony.
‘As’ brings many years of experience in the fields of global health, development and humanitarian aid and is currently the Chair of the Board of the Kofi Annan Foundation and former Secretary General of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
He has also previously held leadership roles at UNICEF, the United Nations and the Global Fund.
Addressing LSTM’s graduating class of 2024, As said: “What we often say is that life is a journey. We must always remember where we’re from but always try to act today to shape the future we want. That of course that requires courage, optimism, and humility. Humility to question ourselves and to question our own certainties. Humility and courage to doubt...that will open us to learn, to be curious, to research, and then to trust the findings into solutions.
"Our solutions should be for the problems faced by our fellow human beings. This is a journey I’m privileged to embark on today with LSTM. A journey that will be paved with respect, trust, equity, diversity, inclusion, partnership. All of that, simply to care and support. A journey of service. Service to the most vulnerable, to the disadvantaged, the hardest to reach.”
He was introduced by LSTM’s Chair of the Board of Trustees Jim McKenna, who said that As was "undoubtedly recognised around the world as a humanitarian leader…he has dedicated his career to driving change."
He said that his "personal commitment to care beyond boundaries and borders" was an inspiration to LSTM's students.
Honorary degree
At the same ceremony, Dr Ayoade Alakija was awarded an honorary degree for her outstanding contribution to global health and equity.
Dr Alakija has forged a storied career as a champion of equity and justice, with vast experience as a medical doctor, humanitarian leader, world authority on pandemic preparedness and global health security.
She has served as the World Health Organization (WHO) Special Envoy for the Access to COVID19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator, Chair of the African Vaccine Delivery Alliance (AVDA) and Chair of FIND.
Addressing graduates after receiving her honour after an introduction from LSTM’s Pro Vice-Chancellor for Partnerships Professor Bertie Squire, she said: “It gives me great pleasure to humbly accept this award from Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.
Among others, she dedicated the award to the “millions of women healthcare workers all over the world, especially in low- and middle-income countries whose tireless efforts go unseen, unheard and often unheralded.”
She said: “Over the years I have joined many from the Global South to speak out against the inequities that are deeply entrenched within the global health architecture. Together, along with your Chancellor, we have passionately championed inclusion and challenged the status quo. We have shifted the table, as they say, and called for a fundamental shift in power dynamics.”
At a celebratory event in Liverpool’s historic St George’s Hall, LSTM’s Vice-Chancellor Professor David Lalloo congratulated LSTM’s graduating class of 2024 and welcomed them to the global alumni community.
Graduating student Abdou Aziz Kane was awarded the inaugural Luis Cuevas Prize, given in memory of Professor Cuevas’ commitment to global health education and research.