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Guwahati, Oct 29 (IANS) Gauhati University on Wednesday issued a detailed clarification on what it described as “widespread misinformation and misreporting” regarding the conferment of honorary degrees, saying no person has the right to unilaterally decide on or confer honorary degrees.
In a statement, the university said the conferment of honorary doctorates – such as Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) or Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) follows a rigorous, multi-stage statutory process that involves scrutiny, approval and consent from multiple governing bodies.
Registrar Professor Utpal Sarma said in an official statement, “The conferment of Honoris Causa degrees is a collective institutional decision taken after thorough consideration at multiple statutory levels. No individual or functionary has the authority to confer such honors unilaterally.”
Explaining the process, the university said that all proposals for honorary degrees are first placed before the Executive Council, where they undergo detailed evaluation and discussion.
Only after getting the approval of the Council does a proposal proceed for further consideration. This process requires the approval of the Chancellor of Gauhati University and the Governor of Assam, who reviews the recommendation with due diligence.
After this, the case is presented to the University Court for concurrence before any final summons.
This clarification comes amid speculations and reports that some individuals within the university may have taken the unilateral decision on conferring honorary degrees.
Gauhati University rejected such claims as “baseless and misleading”, urging the media and public to rely only on verified institutional communications.
“The university appeals to the press, academia and the public not to be influenced by rumors or unverified information circulating on social media and other platforms,” the statement said.
Gauhati University encouraged stakeholders to stay updated through its official channels including its website and verified social media handles on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
–IANS
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