Introduction
In the realm of higher education, alumni are more than just former students—they are lifelong ambassadors of the university’s values, culture, and reach. While alumni often support their alma maters through mentorship, fundraising, and outreach, their influence can also extend into academic honours. One lesser-known yet meaningful area is the role alumni can play in recommending individuals for honorary doctorates. In Indian universities, where honorary degrees are a symbol of deep respect and cultural recognition, alumni recommendations are slowly gaining visibility as a credible part of the selection ecosystem.
This blog explores how alumni contribute to the honorary doctorate process, why their recommendations matter, and what makes such endorsements impactful.
Why Alumni Recommendations Carry Weight
Alumni are uniquely positioned between the academic world and the larger society. They have firsthand knowledge of the university’s mission, its evolution, and its aspirations. When alumni propose someone for an honorary doctorate, they are doing more than offering a name—they are linking the proposed recipient’s life work to the institution’s legacy.
Such recommendations carry weight for several reasons:
- Alumni understand the values of the university and suggest names that resonate with them.
- They often come from professional or civic networks and may introduce grassroots contributors unknown to academic circles.
- When senior or influential alumni (such as civil servants, educators, or business leaders) endorse someone, it opens new perspectives for the award committee.
In short, alumni can act as bridges between academia and society, making the process more inclusive and dynamic.
How the Recommendation Process Usually Works
While honorary doctorates are awarded at the discretion of the university—usually after discussion in its Senate, Syndicate, or Governing Council—there is often a formal or informal channel for accepting nominations from alumni.
Here’s how it may typically happen:
- An alumnus identifies an individual who has made a significant societal contribution aligned with the university’s values.
- A written recommendation or proposal is submitted to the university administration, usually addressed to the Vice Chancellor or Registrar.
- The university reviews the credentials and forwards the name to the Honorary Degree Committee (or equivalent) for further evaluation.
- If shortlisted, the nominee’s background is verified, and the case is presented during the convocation planning meetings.
Some institutions even issue a call for honorary degree nominations annually, where alumni are invited to suggest names in a structured format.
What Makes an Alumni Nomination Strong?
Not every alumni recommendation will lead to an honorary doctorate, but certain elements can improve the chances of serious consideration:
- Clarity of Impact: The person being recommended must have a clear, documented impact in their domain—be it social work, public service, arts, education, innovation, or culture.
- Alignment with University Ethos: If a university is known for social science, law, or agriculture, recommending someone who has made major strides in those fields adds relevance.
- Evidence and Endorsements: A strong recommendation includes media clippings, awards received, notable milestones, and if possible, community or institutional references.
- Legacy and Integrity: The nominee should have a long-standing contribution and an unblemished public image. Universities guard their reputation closely.
- Alumni Credibility: The standing of the recommending alumnus—whether in civil service, business, education, or development—adds to the seriousness of the nomination.
Alumni can also gather group endorsements from fellow batchmates or alumni networks to add strength to their proposal.
Case Examples from Indian Institutions
Several Indian universities have awarded honorary degrees where alumni played a behind-the-scenes role:
- A retired schoolteacher in Gujarat, who educated tribal children for decades, was nominated by an alumnus working in education policy. The honorary doctorate was awarded after the university confirmed her impact.
- A woman entrepreneur from Manipur was brought to the notice of a central university through a northeastern alumni group. Her work in rural livelihood was eventually recognised with an honorary title.
- In one case, a public health worker was proposed by a group of medical alumni from their alma mater and later awarded during the centenary convocation.
These examples show how alumni engagement can bring attention to individuals who may otherwise go unnoticed.
Challenges and Ethical Considerations
While alumni nominations add richness to the process, there are also challenges:
- The nomination must not be driven by personal friendships or promotional motives.
- Institutions need to filter bias and ensure neutrality in their evaluation.
- Alumni involvement should supplement the committee’s own research—not override it.
Universities often build internal safeguards, such as multi-layered review or secret ballot voting, to avoid undue influence.
Done ethically, alumni input enhances—not compromises—the dignity of honorary recognitions.
Conclusion
In Indian academic tradition, honorary doctorates serve as a bridge between scholarship and societal impact. Alumni, having walked both paths, are well-suited to identify deserving individuals whose stories align with the university’s values.
As institutions grow more inclusive in their recognition processes, alumni can help widen the lens—spotting those changemakers who have never published a research paper, but whose work speaks volumes. With sensitivity, care, and responsibility, alumni can help shape the future of honorary recognitions in India—not with influence, but with insight.