The University of Kerala has decided to confer honorary doctorates in science on scientist C.N.R. Rao, astrophysicist Jayant Narlikar, and Infosys co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan.
In the absence of Governor P. Sathasivam, Higher Education Minister K.T. Jaleel, who is the Pro-Chancellor of the university, will award the doctorates to Dr. Narlikar and Mr. Gopalakrishnan at a special convocation that will be held on the university campus here on Thursday.
Prof. Rao would be presented the Doctor of Science (DSc) honorary degree at a later date, varsity authorities said.
Addressing media persons, Vice Chancellor V.P. Mahadevan Pillai said while the Senate had recommended the conferment of the honorary degrees on the personalities back in March 2012, a final decision was taken by the Syndicate only in March this year.
Governor’s absence
Referring to the absence of Mr. Sathasivam, who is also the Chancellor of the university, on the occasion, Prof. Pillai clarified that the convocation schedule was finalised by the Raj Bhavan well in advance keeping in view the busy schedules of the recipients of the honorary doctorates, notwithstanding the engagements of the Chancellor.
Dr. Jaleel was authorised to lead the convocation under the circumstances.
He, however, said the Governor was expected to confer the doctorate on Prof. Rao on a mutually convenient date.
Dr. Narlikar, a Padma Vibhushan recipient, is renowned for his work in cosmology, primarily for evolving alternative models to the Bing Bang theory, and for his research in the frontier areas of gravity, Mach’s Principle, Quantum cosmology and ‘Action at a Distance’ concept.
He is also credited with leading research on the possible cosmological origins of life on earth. Dr. Narlikar is also a recipient of Maharashtra Bhushan, the highest civilian honour to be instituted by the Government of Maharashtra.
Mr. Gopalakrishnan, an alumnus of the University of Kerala, is one of the seven co-founders of Infosys. A global thought leader in business and technology, Mr. Gopalakrishnan is a recipient of the Padma Bhushan.
Previously, the university has given away 28 honorary degrees in letters (D.Litt), science (D.Sc) and law (LLD) since its inception. C.P. Ramaswamy Iyer, who was the Dewan of the erstwhile Travancore state, was the first recipient of the varsity’s honorary doctorate in 1939.
Other recipients include novelist Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai, scientist E.C.G. Sudarsan, economist Amartya Sen, singer K.J. Yesudas, architect Laurie Baker, former ISRO chairman G. Madhavan Nair, poet O.N.V. Kurup, former Chief Justice of India K.G. Balakrishnan, filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan, actor Mammootty and Carnatic musician Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman.
