Professor Kovin Naidoo receives award

CEO of Brien Holden Vision Institute, Professor Kovin Naidoo, has been awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by the State University of New York for his work to expand access to eye care across the world.

Professor Naidoo was presented with the award at the SUNY School of Optometry’s 2018 Commencement Ceremony on 24 May alongside Dr Frank Schaeffel who received an honorary Doctor of Science for advancing understanding of vision.

Commenting on the award, chair of Brien Holden Vision Institute, Professor Brian Layland, said that Professor Naidoo’s work spans across different continents and has resulted in significant advances in the development of eye care on a global scale.

“Professor Naidoo has been a champion at all levels – firstly delivering eye care, establishing programmes, securing funding, building research capacity and advocating strongly for this cause in Africa; then applying this strategic approach and his boundless energy to global efforts,” he said.

“Most recently, he has been the architect of the Our Children’s Vision campaign, a global collaboration of organisations focused on expanding access to eye health services for more children in more locations, which has so far reached around 20 million children,” he added.

Speaking about receiving the award, Professor Naidoo said he was honoured to have the work of the Brien Holden Vision Institute recognised.

“I gratefully accept this award as not just a tribute to myself but to all the Brien Holden Vision Institute staff for their tireless work to make this world a better place – be it through translational research to create vision solutions or our public health and education efforts to expand access to eye care to everyone, everywhere,” he said.