Citations for Distinguished University Awards, as Read by Dr. Shamsh Kassim-Lakha, President, Aga Khan University

The first award is to Dr. Cheves McCord Smythe. May I request Dr. Smythe to please come to the stage and remain standing while I read the citation.

Dr. Cheves McCord Smythe, a graduate of Harvard Medical School Cum Laude, has had a distinguished career as a physician, an educator and a university leader. In 1970 he became the founder Dean of the University of Texas Health Sciences Centre, where he continues as a Professor of Medicine.

In 1982, and until 1985, Dr. Cheves Smythe was the first Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences and a Professor of Medicine of Aga Khan University. It is in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Faculty of Health Sciences and the University Hospital, that we confer today the title of Professor Emeritus upon Dr. Smythe.

Dr. Smythe's contribution helped shape this University. We benefited from his breadth of experience in health sciences, from his reflective clinical practice, and from his remarkable management skills.

Perhaps most particularly we express our appreciation for his wisdom and support in the crucial, formative years of the School of Nursing and the Medical College. It was Dr. Smythe's insight and leadership which helped to lay the foundation for their subsequent successful development.

I now request the Chancellor to confer the title of Emeritus Professor on Dr. Cheves McCord Smythe.

The second award is given to Professor David Elliot Bell. May I request his daughter, Ms. Susan Barry Bell to come to the stage and remain standing while I read the citation.

Professor Bell was a leading academic at Harvard University, where he occupied positions of leadership in Population Studies and in International Health. He received honorary doctoral degrees from several universities in the United States, including his alma mater, Harvard.

In his distinguished career, David Bell occupied significant positions, both in the United States and internationally. He was Director of the US Bureau of the Budget; he led the United States Agency for International Development; and was Vice-President for International Affairs at the Ford Foundation.

Of particular significance to us, Professor Bell maintained a lifetime commitment to improving the welfare of the underprivileged, including in several developing countries. His involvement with Pakistan spanned several decades and included advice in the development of the first five year plan of the country. Professor Bell served as a Founding Trustee on the Board of Aga Khan University for 15 years. He brought to the Board exemplary analytical skill and clear exposition of complex issues, conveyed with disarming humility. His wisdom and insight were invaluable in charting the course of this new University.

Upon Professor Bell's retirement, in recognition of his invaluable services to the University, the Chancellor, His Highness the Aga Khan, established the David E. Bell Professorship, dedicated to advancement in the study of economics.

Sadly, some time after Professor Bell was informed about the University's decision to award him the degree of Honorary Doctor of Letters, he passed away, on September 6 this year, at the age of 81. Ms. Susan Barry Bell, has travelled across the world to the city she knew as a child, as her father had done so often in voluntary service, to receive the honour.

May I now call upon Ms. Susan Barry Bell to receive the University's award on behalf of her illustrious father who won the profound respect, admiration and appreciation of Aga Khan University and many others in Pakistan and around the world.

As a mark of respect for their late colleague, Professor Bell, the Trustees wish to stand for the award of this degree. The audience is requested to remain in their seats.

May I request His Highness the Aga Khan, Chancellor of Aga Khan University to kindly confer the degree.

Back to other speeches