Mangalore University.
Credit: DH Photo
Mangaluru: Pragathipara Chintakara Vedike condemned the Mangalore University’s decision to confer honorary doctorates on 3 entrepreneurs during its convocation terming it as a 'disgraceful act'.
Prof Narendra Nayak, former member of the Academic Council of the Mangalore University, thinker Vasudeva Uchil, DSS state coordinator M Devadas and others said that until a decade ago, the University held a prestigious position in the state’s educational and intellectual spheres. Many eminent personalities served as vice-chancellors and heads of various departments, contributing significantly to the institution. Renowned professors and historians left their mark, and several important research projects emerged from the university.
However, in recent years, the institution’s reputation has deteriorated due to rampant corruption and favouritism towards communal and caste-based forces. Over the past 5-6 years, the university has abandoned academic standards and instead adopted a disgraceful tradition of granting honorary doctorates solely based on wealth, they alleged.
Particularly in the past 2 years, the university has followed a tradition of awarding honorary doctorates to 3 entrepreneurs each year.
A year ago, when three businessmen were awarded honorary doctorates, it had sparked widespread criticism within the intellectual community. However, the university has once again continued its questionable practice. Awarding honorary doctorates is not an essential duty of a university. There is no necessity to make it an annual ritual. If such honors are reserved for truly outstanding individuals on special occasions, they carry meaning and respect.
The forum urged the University to put an end to such practices immediately.