Graduation award for Nobel laureate

Friday, 28 July 2006

Nobel Laureate and University of Adelaide 1961 medicine graduate Dr J. Robin Warren will be presented with an honorary doctorate from the University next week during its mid-year graduation ceremonies.

Dr Warren will join more than 900 students as they take part in four ceremonies in Bonython Hall over Monday 31 July and Tuesday 1 August. The graduation ceremonies are traditionally one of the highlights of the academic year.

Dr Warren and three other prominent speakers will share some of their inspiration and lessons learnt with the graduating students. The other speakers are Coles Myer Chairman Rick Allert, Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education the Hon Paul Caica, and Port Adelaide Football Club Chief Executive Officer John James.

Dr Warren, who received the 2005 Nobel Prize for Medicine with colleague Professor Barry Marshall, will be awarded the special degree, Doctor of the University (honoris causa) for his distinguished achievement as a scholar and his contribution to society in physiology and medicine.

His discovery of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori and its role in gastritis and peptic ulcer disease revolutionised the treatment of this major medical problem. The research was for some time regarded with scepticism but was finally accepted by the medical community.

University of Adelaide Vice-Chancellor Professor James McWha said: "Dr Warren's contribution to the world in the field of medicine is now widely recognised but his persistence and determination in achieving this distinction is a wonderful lesson for our graduates who are just starting their own careers. The University of Adelaide is extremely proud of our graduate, Dr Warren, and pleased we are able to show our appreciation and respect by awarding him an honorary doctorate."

Graduation ceremonies and speakers:
Monday, 31 July, 10am: Adelaide Graduate School of Business, Economics and Law - Mr John James
Monday, 31 July, 2.30pm: Humanities, Social Sciences, Music, Centre for Australian Indigenous Research and Studies, Architecture and Education - The Hon Paul Caica
Tuesday, 1 August, 10am: Commerce, Agricultural Sciences, Sciences - Mr Rick Allert
Tuesday, 1 August, 2.30pm: Dentistry, Medicine, Engineering, Mathematical and Computer Sciences - Dr Robin Warren (also receiving his Doctor of the University (honoris causa))

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