Pranab Mukherjee to get 3 honorary doctorates on West Asia trip

Jerusalem: Indian President Pranab Mukherjee will receive honorary doctorates from three leading universities in Jordan, Palestinian Authority and Israel during his maiden six-day visit to West Asia starting next week.

The University of Jordan (UJ) will be the first of the three varsities to bestow the honour on Mukherjee, a varsity statement said, adding that Indian President will receive honourary doctorate in political science.

"Given the special ties enjoyed between Palestinians and India it gives us pride to felicitate the Indian President with an honourary doctorate," said an official at the Al-Quds university in the Palestinian Authority (PA).

"India has been at the forefront of academic cooperation with the Palestinians and we receive a lot of help from the Indian government in the field of education," he added.

Mukherjee will be accompanied by Vice Chancellors and heads of leading institutions in India and his engagement gives an impression of developing strong educational links with the leading universities in the region.

Hebrew University of Jerusalem, ranked among the top universities worldwide, will also be conferring an honourary doctorate on Mukherjee at a specially organised event.