Alwyn Didar Singh receives honorary doctorate in UK

LONDON: Alwyn Didar Singh, former Indian civil servant and current Secretary General of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, has received an honorary doctorate from the University of Birmingham in the UK.

Singh was named honoured on Wednesday at the University's historic Great Hall in the presence of hundreds of graduates and their families.

Prior to his role with India's largest business chamber, Singh was Secretary to the Indian government in the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs.

He has also served as Finance Member for the National Highways Authority of India, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Heavy Industries and before that he worked in the Ministry of Commerce with responsibilities for foreign trade.

Singh is a member of the Global Agenda Council on Migration of the World Economic Forum and received a Community Service award for his service to the Indian diaspora by the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin.

An internationally known expert in E-commerce, trade and migration, Singh has undertaken several studies in the area of Information and communications technology strategy and E-commerce for international agencies including the International Trade Centre, the WHO and the Commonwealth Secretariat, London.

"To me this honour is very special. I already have a doctorate degree from my own country - in fact it happens to be the first ever PhD in E-commerce in India. But, this is ever more special as it is recognition and honour from a university overseas and that too from the UK - in a sense the mother of higher education for the world," Singh said.