By Andrew Argo, education reporter

The award of an honorary doctor of laws degree to the “angel of Africa” brought an inspirational end to the second day of graduation ceremonies at Dundee University yesterday.

Noerine Kaleeba is largely responsible for efforts to control the spread of HIV and AIDS in Uganda, a country more successful than any other in Africa in dealing with the worst pandemic in history.

She was presented for the distinction at the ceremony for graduates from the school of nursing in the Caird Hall, where her presence had deep significance.

The school’s Dr Julie Taylor said it “reminds us that a few short minutes spent caring with compassion can inspire an enormous contribution from others.

“Perhaps more importantly, Noerine reminds us that no matter how great personal tragedy, sorrow and challenge we face, compassion and caring and courage can make things possible.”

Noerine, the head of physiotherapy at the largest teaching hospital in Uganda, became a pioneer of AIDS work through the plight of her husband Christopher, who died after being diagnosed with the condition.

He was treated latterly in a hospital in the Ugandan capital of Kampala, where Noerine found it difficult to accept the stigma they faced from healthcare workers. The staff were so paranoid about catching AIDS they would not even touch her husband or cross the threshold into his room.

Noerine had tested negative for HIV but did not take a follow-up test for 10 years because she thought people would discriminate against her whether or not she had HIV.

“She prayed for time and energy and wisdom to move things forward,” Dr Taylor explained. “And threw herself into her work as if she were HIV positive.”

Noerine turned her heartbreak and distress into something that made a difference and founded The AIDS Support Organisation to help people with the condition and their families.

TASO’s mission is to restore their dignity and hope and to promote the concept of living positively with AIDS. TASO has evolved into a model project for AIDS services worldwide, responding with vigour and imagination to every new challenge thrown up by the epidemic which continues to affect Noerine’s own family.

She is supporting, with the help of friends, over 20 members of her extended family orphaned by AIDS or who are themselves HIV positive.

Recipient of several international awards for her anti-AIDS efforts, she has served on various national and international bodies including the World Health Organisation and ActionAid UK, of which she is vice-chairwoman.

Dr Taylor said Noerine Kaleeba is a remarkable woman “of outstanding energy and compassion—a woman who inspires the healthcare professions to see that the manner in which we care for patients and their families can have a ripple effect far beyond anything we can imagine.”

Her story is unique because of her lack of sentimentality, her pragmatism, vision “and the humility and humanity that she has demonstrated on this difficult journey.”

University principal Sir Alan Langlands hoped graduating nurses would draw inspiration from someone “who has made her own personal tragedy the springboard to energise action on one of the biggest problems facing Africa and the world today.”

He went on to reflect on the nursing school’s busy year under Professor Sheila Hunt, with new courses coming on stream and developments in postgraduate provision and research. Three school staff have won prizes for innovative teaching and a new group of midwives has been trained to work with professional autonomy in community midwife units, including the new one at Perth Royal Infirmary.

Sir Alan, former chief executive of the NHS, said the sector was changing in ways that emphasise personal care, the effective management of chronic diseases and teamwork in high tech and community settings.

He told the gathering, “You are the first generation of a new kind of nurse with new skills for new roles in a modernised workforce.”

Earlier the university conferred degrees on graduands from the faculties of life sciences and law and accountancy.

Sir Alan said graduation was a time to reflect on challenges faced and goals achieved, and he hoped those graduating would also draw inspiration from broadcaster and comedian Fred MacAulay, an alumnus of the university, the former rector and now an honorary graduand.

“Fred has made his own unique mark on the world and on the affections of the University of Dundee,” he said. “As a graduate of accountancy who moved by stages into professional comedy, he is an excellent example of someone who had a dream and the courage to take risks and follow it. He also tells very good jokes and works tirelessly for a number of charities.”

Sir Alan said the graduands should take a few minutes to think about the benefits of university, which is not just about facts and figures and passing exams, but about ideas, knowledge and understanding and, ultimately the pursuit of truth.

He went on to outline a range of impressive recent achievements and thanked staff of the faculties whose students were graduating for their key role in the university’s success.

In life sciences, he said the new Centre for Interdisciplinary Research, a clone of the Wellcome Trust Building, is nearing completion after a successful fund-raising campaign.

Research breakthroughs and major grants have continued giving insights on major diseases including diabetes, cancer and malaria.

In law and accountancy, students have shown their mettle in national competition and the winning of scholarships, and future development has been underpinned by a series of recent top level appointments.

The launch of Dundee University Press last year, with a special division of law, has also been a highlight.

* Fred MacAulay’s laureation address was delivered by the university chaplain the Rev Dr Fiona Douglas.

She said the university was honouring someone whose acute observations and rapier-sharp wit are loved by millions of Scots.

With a string of television credits, Fred MacAulay is one of the most famous faces of Scottish comedy.

She outlined the career of a man born in Perth who came to Dundee University in 1974 and worked as an accountant with Bell’s, the Cairngorm Chairlift Company, Pitlochry Knitwear and Grampian Holdings.

At the age of 31 he decided to pursue his secret ambition of being a stand-up comedian and in 1993 gave up the calculator for good to devote his career to entertainment.

Despite his well-deserved adulation Fred has remained unaffected by the trappings of fame and fortune, and has spent many years working for charities including Rachel House and many diabetes and cancer causes.

His wish to put something back into the community saw him contribute to the life of Dundee University, and as rector he earned immense respect for the time and effort he gave to the task.

Dr Douglas said Fred had to remain silent to receive his honorary degree, but if he could speak she was sure he would pass on the advice he gave in his inaugural speech as rector.

That was, “If you want to do something, get out and do it. There’s no point in later life saying—I wish I’d tried it.”