Africa-Press – South-Africa. Rhodes University’s Professor Roderick Walker was honoured for putting his academic theory to vital use during the Covid-19 pandemic and getting the pharmacy faculty to produce more than 14 000 litres of hand sanitiser.
On Wednesday, he was hailed twice at a graduation ceremony – first with the vice-chancellor’s Senior Researcher Award, and later with the vice-chancellor’s Distinguished Community Engagement Award.
Walker set up a manufacturing plant to produce hand sanitiser which complied with the standards from the World Health Organisation (WHO)at the university in Makhanda.
Rhodes University honours remarkable South Africans at first face-to-face graduation ceremonies
Assisted by pharmacy, physics and chemistry students, his products are supplied to hospitals and farmers in the region.
Since March, 14 562 litres of hand sanitiser have been produced at the facility and the main beneficiary was the provincial health department.
Walker made headlines in July 2020 when his tests smoked out a service provider that was allegedly providing a rural Eastern Cape school with sanitiser that did not meet the required standards. His testing proved that the sanitiser supplied to Makaula Senior Secondary School – where 204 pupils and staff tested positive for Covid-19 at the time – allegedly contained very low levels of alcohol.
To work effectively and kill germs, a sanitiser must contain at least 70% alcohol.
Following Walker’s findings, Education MEC Fundile Gade instituted legal action against the supplier for “defrauding” the education department.
During the graduation ceremony at Makhanda’s 1820 Settler’s Monument, vice-chancellor Professor Sizwe Mabizela said Walker had displayed initiative, determination and creativity in his response to an unprecedented global health crisis.
Walker’s citation was read out at the graduation venue on behalf of Mabizela.
Mabizela lauded Walker for his commitment to developing Rhodes University as a socially responsive institution through his leadership of the Covid-19 Response: Hand Sanitiser Manufacturing Project.
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The distribution of this hand sanitiser has reached far beyond the boundaries of the university, Makhanda and the Makana municipal district.
Healthcare workers in busy hospitals, rural communities and about 3 000 farmers have all benefited, Mabizela said.
Speaking to News24 outside the venue, Walker said: “I am ecstatic. I am excited, particularly that the faculty of pharmacy is acknowledging through me and my commitment to producing high quality graduates who can make a huge difference in healthcare in this country.”
This week, Rhodes is hosting six graduation ceremonies.
A total of 2 085 graduands are expected to get their degrees, diplomas and certificates.
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